This is one of the most unbelievable performances I've ever seen, I think. The acting... to be so wounded, so betrayed, so sad, so hopeless, and yet still so regal... Dame Judi Dench is just incredible.

This has to be the finest portrayal of Desiree by ANY artist and this scene the most emotional . A wonderful talent.

This is an acting master class, acting through song, you can have the most technically beautiful voice but if you don't connect with the underlying emotional story of the song you will fail to touch your audience. Judi Dench does this so beautifully, she tackles a Sondheim lyric with the same commitment as she would a Shakespeare soliloquy, this is the definitive version for me.

Brilliant. She really acts this song, and doesn't just sing it. She really captures all the anger, bitterness and regret that it expresses. What a star!

Unforgettable....her voice is perfect for this song...not showy...but brutally vulnerable and honest

The most wonderful rendition of this song EVER. Judi's talent is beyond words. She may not have the "vocal chops" of Sarah Vaughan or Babs, but NO ONE can sell this song like Judi.. This is the perfect example of how to act out a song with many layers of intention. Amazingly subtle and so very precise. Judi is extraordinary.

This is as tough and brilliant as it gets. As an actor asked to break down, many would find those tears only by letting the rage come out. But when you have to control that emotion by being on key and holding notes simultaneously, well, that takes a great actor.

There is NOONE who can sing this like Judi. She adds the emotion that is seldom seen in any other performance. She is REMARKABLE.

What other actress can cram so many emotions in a 3 minute song? Judi sings her bitterness, regret pride self assurance...then comes the the loss the sorrow and finally a bit of hope in the last line. Brava Judi!

Now this is what acting is about. Truly a moving performance and a master class

Well being 56 and having experienced my own fair share of heartache and a lost love, I can certainly empathise and sympathise with the sentiments expressed in this song. You have to have LIVED and truly LOVED, as well as to have LOST, to really portray effectively the real true, raw emotion that she conveys. A consummate actress and professional, she clearly draws not only on her acting prowess - but from life itself, and the combination provides the viewer with a truly outstanding performance.

My heart just about breaks at 4.17. And finally, a performance where the lyrics and the singer's emotions match.

In my humble opinion this is the best version of this song ever. She is outstanding!

Man. The way Judi sings this... She absolutely tears my heart out with the last verse.

Goosebumps, tears, admiration; and I'm not all together sure if it's for the character, the performance, for Judi herself. All I know is I keep watching this, over and over, and all those emotions wash over me again. If this perfoamce was a baseball player, they would retire the jersey because who could imagine someone outdoing this? Or even coming close.

It is odd that the definitive version of this song is recorded on a chat show with Britain's favorite gardener. However, I've watched many versions on youtube and this is by far the greatest. The sheer emotion you can see and hear is astonishing. It breathes life in to a much maligned song. Every phrase and expression shows what Sondheim meant when he wrote the music and verse. There truly is no better performance. Now pass the bloody tissues my eyes are soaking wet.

I knew she was a good actress, but now I realize she may be one of the greatest of all time. She moved me to tears. I've heard this song all my life, but this time it was as if I heard it for the first time.

I think it's the best performance of this song that I've ever seen. So well interpreted it!! Judi Dench is the best!!

she is truly one of the most gifted actresses to ever walk on earth. this song is perfect and she is perfect singing it

There are so many great singers for this piece, Dame JDench I rate in the top of my list.... such emotions in her voice... not mentioning her protrayal of the part... just love JUDI DENCH....

"...no one is there." Devastating. The price of wisdom gained too late. A brilliant performance.

hands down, the most emotionally insightful performance of this song i've seen. she's not "acting" here, it's clear she feels this in a very deep part of herself! brilliant!

Wow... that was just devastating to watch. The song has a whole new meaning when you see it performed this way... and I think as it was meant to be.

THis video makes me want to bawl my eyes out like a baby. My heart feels like its breaking with hers when she sheds that tear. God Judi is amazing!!!! I wish i had her skills.

I've never been satisfied with anyone's performance of this song... Until I found this one. The *acting* is amazing. You can hear Desiree's whole life story in this song; and the pain of her self-awareness coming too late. She really has the sound of life experience to back it up; I don't know how else to characterise it, only that it seems so REAL, with that edge of bitterness and disappointment and how it HURTS to hope, but she can't stop herself from still hoping anyway.

This is my second comment on this theme, I rarely watch youtube on a regular basis, I ALWAYS turn to this. Us watchers say it all, it is very rare to have an old blog which has 5 stars day in day out. Dame Judy IS the best, and I am Pleased that she is appreciated by all! No better performance, and Dame Judy sets one hell of a benchmark!!!

I remember watching this episode when it was aired in 1996. I thought Judi Dench was awesome. Now I'm much older and have been watching musical theatre for 20+ years. I still think Judi Dench is awesome. She owns this song.

I never really got the whole emotional truth of this song before I saw this performance. Brava, Dame Judi!

Now THAT is musical theater!!! Simply stunning.

SHE IS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD

This woman is an absolute LEGEND she a national treasure, its the 1st time i've heard her sing, i had heard she'd done musical theatre.........and like with everything this woman does its outstanding

I thought Ruthie Henshall was great but wow! She brings so much emotion and authenticity to it. Superb you really feel her pain and the fact the her singing is not note perfect just makes it all the more real. Loved it!

One of the most captivating artists of all times. Why do we fall in love with her over and over again? :)

Definetly the best version. Judi Dench is an extraordinary actress and I think she's captured the sense of the song. I'm also jealous of the lucky viewers of the play

Dame Judi,Dame Judi, Dame Judi, You are phenomenal!!!!!!

i think its definatly deserved the Olivier award -a good song and she sings it well

So true! Not til I saw Judi Dench's performance of this on Hey! Mr. Producer did I really 'get' the song, though it's been a favorite for years. Her rendition here is absolutely breathtaking!

If a singer could conveyed the emotional depth that Dame Judi had done with this song, I have yet to hear it. A Heart-breakingly beautiful performance that grabs you and would not let go. One sits stunned until long after the final note was sung.

Im Overwhelmed With Judi Dench's Raw Talent & Her Voice In This Perfect Performance

Did you know that this is amazing? Cuz it kind of is. It's absolutely amaaazing. I almost cried. :]

Never knew Dame Judi could sing. And boy could she! Beneath the world-weary voice which demanded the reason for a failed romance is the fragile tremble of a wounded bird. Heart-breaking and beautiful. What a great video. Bravo!

Oh. My. Gosh. I have NEVER EVER seen this song done with so much depth, and so many layers... and so much importance before. Usually it is sung with a sad tone and a "this is the main song" aura. Even in professional productions. Amazing!!!! I never before "got" every word in the song before. Now each word --- each note makes complete sense! I am in awe of her.

This is great! I didn't know she sang until I saw this.

I love Judi Dench. She's amazing.

dame judi is SO extremely talented. words cannot describe how fantastic she is. this is such a beautifully heart-wrenching performance.

She is incredible.

Brava, Dame Judi Dench! You're the best!!

I don't usually get too emotional, but I have to admit, this version put tears in my eyes.

The best version of this song I've ever seen. I don't think anyone could outperform her on this. So heart-wrenching and perfectly placed emotion.

One of the most beatiful things I have ever heard. Simply fantastic. I have been searching for this version since I first heard it on the radio back in 1998. Thanx Judi for such a perfect moment! Thanx, thanx, thanx.

It's great to hear her discuss the role & the context of the song in the musical, so we understand what the song is really all about. Very moving ! It's not for nothing that she received the Olivier Award for her performance.

In a word...brilliant!

Is there anything this wonderful lady cant do? Never disappoints.

This version touches me as no other. It brings tears to my eyes for the longing of what might have been and would not be.

omg ... i had an inkling when i was a little girl hearing this play in the house that it was about sadness. i never thought that there was SO much of it once she explained the history. i for one can attest to such tragedy ... maybe next year.

i got goosebumps watching judi dench sing this! bravo.. what an actress!

fantastic version of the song!!!

1:30 for the start. I was introduced to this song by Barbara, that had me in tears as a child and I did not think anyone could beat it in the heart and soul pain of it. I recently watched a prog on BBC and this performance was on it and damn she hits the feels at supersonic speed with this. Even Sondheim himself said it made him look at the song differently after hearing it, now you can not beat that as a compliment. I knew she was a class actress, but I did not know she could sing. I mean I would love to hear her sing "Somewhere"

she looked and sang like her heart was actually breaking it brought tears to my eyes its one of the best versions i have ever heard

she made me cry, wow.... what a phenomenal actress...

I have always felt Sarah Vaughan's recording and performance of this was unsurpassable - this is the first time anyone has evoked the emotional response at the deeply emotional level Sassy Vaughan was able to evoke. Although the performances are extremely different - both are AMAZING!

Finally, this song makes sense and the key is the hurt. I've never cried during this song before until Judi's definitive version. Wonder what Sondheim thought of her performance, a non singer but one who acted the role without peer

I discovered Judy Dench watching the series 'As Time Goes By' little did I know initially what a famous & wonderful actress she is. Great performance here!

Judi plumbs the depths of the human soul. Just amazing.

BRA-FREAKIN-VO!!!!!!!! I have NEVER heard or seen this performance done with this much honesty!!! I have always loved Dame Judith, but I am an endebted fan to such a pleasurable, life-changing performance. I really KNOW now what Desree meant! Thank you, Judy! I won't be able to get you out of my head for MONTHS!!! And ENJOYABLY so!

This is the first time I have ever seen this song performed, and not only seen, but felt the pain that the she was going through. Wonderful performance. spellbinding.

This truly is an extraordinary performance, the best "Send in the Clowns" I've ever heard. She expresses such a range of emotions - much more anger than other performers, and deeply felt pain. This powerful rendition of the song captures its essence and breaks your heart. Bravo!

I think it should be illegal to be THAT AMAZING!!!! God she's soooo good :D

one word... AMAZING. A tear came to my eye watching this.. wow!

WOW...her acting is unlike any other...perfect casting

Watching this performance is truly watching a master artist at work. Telling a story that touches ones heart to its core. Only the best can do this with such perfection. JMR

she makes me cry. This is the best version of the song I've heard.

Exactly! It's sang, it's acted! it's absolutely marvelous!

Your comment is so true for me too! I love this song, and in her version I finally "got" every word too. All I can say is WOW!

this gave me the chills. . .

This song never made sense to me until I watched this video - the way Judi Dench sings it is so moving and expressive and real - absolutely heart-rending!

when i first heard this song and listened to the lyrics, i knew it had so much potential. but i could just not find anyone who did it justice. after watching this video, i knew i found what i was looking for. she does such a beautiful and true rendition. everything i wanted in this performance she gave. her emotion is so believable, and i love how in to it she got. absolutely wonderful. best rendtion EVER.

To bring so much real emotion to a 3 minute song is pure genius. I can only pray that one day I might acquire half her talent with a lot of hard work and commitment.

Judi Dench is just so gifted and lends so much character to all the roles she plays.

What an actress! This song is so powerfully charged with emotion, and Dame Judi is obviously feeling it as she sings. An amazing performance by an extraordinary talent.

This song always makes the tears flow. Dame Judy has always acted with her heart. Now I've seen her sing with it! AWESOME!!! Emotion is a feeling to cherish, not hide away. You need courage to share it and strength to protect it. Thank you Judy and thank you to the person who posted the video, I knew it was worth getting out of bed this morning......

and i am crying! beautiful, simply stunning.

Thats emotion pure - the best "Send in the clowns" I ever have seen.

Amazing. From Bond's "M" to this wonderful performance. What a wonderfully gifted actor. Simply beautiful.

Beautiful... it makes me tear up.

Beautiful Song been thinking of this song Touching ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

Wow....all i can say is bravo. it was a beautiful peace, and she made it beautiful.

I'm from Spain and I love this song. However, I had never heard of this lady. Oh, what I had missed! Just great. She puts her heart in every note!

Perfection. No one presents this song and mood like Judi. I remain in awe.

If this performance can not touch your heart is because your are dead. Ms. Dench I love you!!

about a hundred extremely lucky people saw this. It is astounding. Not a second, not a note, nor a glimmer, or look from how Sondheim would have dreamt it being played. This is Dench at her peak. Streep could not have done this.

Phenomenal performance!! What a treasure!! xxx

This always drives me virtually to tears. She's such a consummate performer - a true great Dame (no pun intended at all). They just don't make them like that anymore, really.

I absolutely love this now and when I fist saw her in this role on the stage in London

Pure magic!

What an awesome rendition! Dame Judy had me speechless throughout, as with all her performances. You can see her effort and feeling right across the performance. In a word ? MASTERPIECE!!!

She's an amazing actress...wow! And I find her take very interesting.

I love how marvelous she is...just amazing. She is proof that there are talented people in the world.

ive watched this video so many times... and also even without watching her sing and just clickingthis video brings tears to my eyes... thinking about the emotion in her performance... wow thats true acting.

So very moving, yes I started to be moved as soon as Dame Judi started singing. Then I wept. Profusely. Than I was in a half-ecstasy of joy at the beauty of her performance (before watching this "Clowns" wasn't really a favourite of mine. Ultimately I was left in awe of how immediate it is in these days to suspect you might like to check something up and then doing it and being overwhelmed. Great times? Perhaps. Certainly a superb interpretation :-)