The definitive version of this song. This is what musical theatre is supposed to be. RIP Sondheim.

This is not about singing, it is about acting, and this performance is truly great ACTING. How moving and emotional. Great.

Being a great Stephen Sondheim fan, I think I have heard every version of this classic song that has been recorded. But I never really heard it at all until this interpretation. Absolutely brilliant Judy Dench brings the true meaning and feeling of the song to new heights. She is beyond moving here....she is emotionally astounding while, at the same time, being very simple. This, my friends, is art.....

It just kills me when she sings, "losing my timing this late in my career"....BEAUTIFUL!!!

The astonishing thing about this is that I am absolutely convinced that we have never before, nor shall we ever again see a rendition of this piece of art as perfect as this is. Earth shattering moment in musical theatre performance hostory. Truly for the ages. I come back tyo it every so often and im as captivated as I was the first time i saw it. Judi Dench is mesmerising, almost as if I am enchanted. I cannot say enough about it. Perfect moment of theatre.

When I first saw this video my response was "Oh! Now I get it!" I never quite got "Send in the Clowns" until Judi just put it out there for us. She is phenomenal and my hero.

I am weeping. Of all of the versions that I have heard, I never understood it until now. Thank you, Judi Dench for teaching me the power of this song.

this has spoilt every other version for me, Judi is the master. she is so beautiful and talented, and she gives this song a life that no one else could give it. thank you Judi, for the joy you have added to my life.

Ladies and Gentlemen this is a masterclass in acting! Judy slays this, I am in bits.

Normally I'm a real critic when it comes to music, but this IS different.... This isn't a matter of a 'perfect' performance, but it's her raw emotion that sends shivers down my spine beyond believe.....

The sadness, passion, and heartbreak that Dame Judy presents in this performance would melt granite.

I was in the audience the night Judy performed this amazing piece. I was around 17. I went because I was a huge fan of Julie Andrews and she was hosting the show. So I was very enthusiastic with my applause when she walked out on stage as you can imagine 🤣. I couldn't remember the other acts of the evening until I found this recording of the show and watched it to remind myself. But I did remember Judy's performance from the night. As it stood out to me. The whole audience seemed to go even quieter and still. As we were all drawn into her incredibly moving performance. She got the biggest applause of the evening. As everyone else must have been so moved by her too. It was rapturous. For someone who was performing amongst all these other well known singers to steal the show right out from them as an actress singing rather than as a well know singer. Was really something to behold. She was and is amazing. I'm so glad I got to see her perform and witness such an incredible moment live. Just shows what an incredible actress she is. She won the race that night. Haha 😂 obviously Julie was incredible too but she didn't perform musically or act that night. Imagine how amazing that would have been if she had. 😍

Barbara has sung it wonderfully, Judy has sung it beautifully, but Dame Judy has sung it most emotionally and best on all counts.

This is my favorite performance of this song

I'm not the only one who cry's when I hear her sing this?

I keep coming back - the most brilliant rendition of this song ever. Jeez it tears your heart strings. One can almost feel the total heartbreak that is inherent in the words of the song. Amazing interpretation. Brava Dame Judy. Brava.

One of the best performances of this song. Gotta love Dame Judi Dench

This the essence of what feeling is in a performance. Nothing grand, just a master class in subtle greatness.

This is Dame Judi's song. No one else can sing it like she can in my opinion. Reduces me to tears every time I hear her sing this !!!!

Leave it to Dame Judi to be able to reduce me to tears in under 5 minutes. So much of a backstory and regret squeezed in without any extraneous fluff. This version should win an Emmy every year.

An example of complete artistry, expression, communication and devotion to the text and music. What she does with so little vocal technique is masterful. She is a lesson in singing without even being a singer. One of the most perfect and beautiful moments of theater ever created. The match of Dench and Sondheim is touched by divinity. This is truly amazing. One of my all time favorites!

Timeless song, a performance for the ages, I've heard so many world class singers sing this song but nobody connects with you with the meaning of the song as Judi, and that includes Steisand and Sinatra.

Genius....no one has ever made so much sense of Mr. Sondhiem's brilliant song.

I've heard this song from many beautiful voices ,maybe better than Judy 's but nobody touchs my heart like her and makes me cry. The way she says "no one is there" or sorry my dear give me a sense of loneliness.

Every singer should hear this performance, it is a complete education in timing, expression and emotion. Beyond any issues of voice quality she more acts than sings in a performance which outshines any of the great singers who have recorded this piece. Bravo

He wrote the anthem of my life. He died on my birthday. Rest in peace, the creator of the most beautiful ballad of my life...Every my birthday I will listen and shed a tear in honor of you , our dear...,🌿

Came looking for this because I told someone I never understood the lyrics until I heard/saw it done by Miss Dench. I see so many here voicing the same. Watched it and, again, Miss Dench has brought me to tears. It's so beautifully done by Dame Judy.

I never “listen” listen to this song because it breaks my heart... then this. I don’t know that my heart can break like this.

It's overlooked...but the expression on the man's face helps add a bit more punch to this song. The pain of two people who kept being on the wrong page from each other knowing that it is finally too late for them.

Is there no end to this woman's talents?? Brings me to tears everytime I watch this video - such raw emotion - quite brilliant!! Amazing performance!!

This is the first time hearing Ms. Drench perform this number. For me, she gave it a new life! Magnificent

This is simply the BEST performance I've seen of this song. Dame Judi gets better all the time!

Sondheim MAGIC. Phenomenal! Thank you so very much. New Orleans, a Saturday evening perhaps, October 1970. Linda and I stayed home at our small apartment on 3615, St. Charles Ave. We simply chanced to tune into CBS. Onscreen came the studio recording of the Broadway cast taping. We were blown over. Bought the Columbia Records long-play soon after. We learned the score through and through. For some reason did not get the video until it came out on laser-disc. Still have it as well as the dvd of it. Come January 2006, very rewarding to have been to the revival with Raul Esparza. Still, the 1970 original remains truly special.

The definitive performer and performance. An exquisite, soul-shaking, devastating rendition.

i was lucky enough to see Dame Jude sing this live in the West End... she is pure gold and this is the most intuitive rendition of this piece ever. She lives & feels every single syllable of every word.

This is my favorite performance of this song. Brings me to tears every time. The emotion she conveys is heartbreaking. Love Judi Dench.

Madame Judi Dench rendition sends shivers in my spine, splendid! Goosebumps, amazingly beautiful!Raddy Reyes

Dame Dench is FOREVER fabulous. Wonderful performance.

What a great actor BUT not just that she is a vocalist as well which makes it all the more powerful. I love you Judy!

Dame Judi is not a singer, per se, but this is, in my mind, the BEST perfomance of this song. I find it heart-breaking, devastating. She is such a phenomenal performer. Wow. LOVE IT!!

This is the first time I've actually enjoyed listening to this song.

absolutely terrific but what else would you expect from dame judy dench she brought me to tears with this rendition of the song love it !!!!!!!!!!

I couldn't agree more. I have never seen Judi Dench give such an emotional performance. She is truly an amazing actress, one of the finest in our world today. Spectacular!

Year after year, I always come back to this performance. I'm a singer myself, and I always look at this for what I should be conveying. This is raw and intense and, though not musically perfect, Dame Judi expresses this song better than anyone I have heard. I never understood it fully until I saw her. Yes, I knew what it was trying to say, but I never felt it viscerally and cried shamelessly until she came along.

For everyone "downing" her performance...it's about more than the singing, and incidentally, she sings just fine. She won an "Olivier" for this role, which is British Theater's highest honor. Every performer puts their own into the role, and she is no exception.

Have always loved this song since I first heard Judy Collins sing it years ago. Then I discovered Judi Dench’s performance. It touches the heart like no other. You actually understand the true meaning behind the words. The depth of the words and the emotions behind them.

I have seen Frank Sinatra sing this song many times in the almost-900 times I saw Sinatra perform live over 22 years. I never thought I would see someone do this song better than Frank Sinatra -- but here it is! I just now found this, and I am just amazed at how perfect it is. Wow!

Dame Dench is superb. This version almost brings tears to my eyes...

Can't help my tears to fall! So much emotions! Thanks Dame Judi for a very splended performance and for touching ones soul with such beauty and love.

so beautiful! I really love that she approaches it from a actor standpoint rather than a singer.... it makes it seem so much more real/emotional. That's why I love Sondheim, he's one of those composers who writes PEOPLE who happen to convey their thoughts/emotions through song, not just 2-d characters with pretty songs.

A masterpiece! Takes your breath away. She "explains" this song perfectly.

What a heartwrenching and gutwrenching performance by the lovely and talented Dame Judi Dench. What more can you ask for. Thank you for the post.

I cry everytime I watch this video

This is by far the GREATEST performance I have ever seen or heard of this beatiful song. Dame Judi Dench truly gives this song justice.. she is a superb actress. Watching her perform this song brings a tear to my eye every single time I watch it... This is what acting is all about! You don't need to be a gifted singer as long as you can act the sh*t out of it! hehe and she does!

"to flirt with rescue when one has no intention of being saved"----stirring.

This ' Send In The Clowns ' Performed by Judi Dench.. Is Strong & Powerful . 💗🇯🇪💗

This is the best rendition ever! Dame Judi is so beautiful and not young even then. She lives this song. Who is the handsome cad?

she's amazing....gave me goosebumps everywhere...

Judi Dench never fails to astound me.

True class

Gives me physical chills, goosebumps, every time I hear this. Wow. Just wow. She is incredible.

wow, amazing! I had goosebumps all over and tears in my eyes - that's what this song should achieve when being well, very well done! bravo, bravo, bravo!

there are really not enough words to describe how painfully, yet beautifully poignant this performance is. It is just pure perfection in 4 minutes and 35 seconds, and one that should be treasured for a long time to come.

Im a heavy metal fan, this morning my radio alarm went off & I heard this for the very first time, it really bummed me out for a couple of hours but it is one of the most beautiful things I have ever heard. And though i have no reference to this song, the unpolished voice of dj judi is the most naturally human & emotional singing I think I have ever heard.

It has been 1 year since you left us Stephen. 💔 I will always miss you and your music. R.I.P.

A performance for the ages, and brilliant proof that the art of singing is to tell a story. Which Judi Densch does magnificently. all tnhe while breaking your heart.

Judy’s interpretation keeps me grounded when I’m having a rough time.

This performance is so heart felt it brings tears to my eyes ❤️

3:43 - BREAKS MY HEART . . . . . . . every time!!

Stunning. Dame Judi Dench. Fan bloody tastic.

Saw her in this role at the NT and it made us all cry. You feel how much she loves him and how gutted she is. Mesmerising to be in a theatre with an actor making you feel that. Sheer magic.

Wow Dame Judy is truly amazing. Such an emotional performance of a brilliant song

wow, it is a while ago that something brought tears to my eyes. This song with her performans touched me very much!!!

Performances like this show the difference between music and musical theatre.

Judi, you are the best! Thank you!

No one could ever do a better job.. Superb.

Stunning rendition of this emotional song - true brilliance

this is outstanding, she may not be the best singer however she has sung this so emotively, its raw, honest and well executed go Judy!

It's a heartbreaking song about opportunities lost. And Dame Judi just nails it, pouring her entire heart into her performance. It tugs on my heart everytime I hear it :(

I really appreciate Mrs.Judy Dench.....

Timeless , beautiful performance

It's the definitive version. extraordinary, and brings a lump to my throat every time.

Dame Judi redefines everything she touches. A rare and precious talent and a wonderful human being to boot. Definitely hero material!

Dame Judi understands this song better than anyone else. Period.

Talented actress!

Back again. She is till the ultimate performer of this song. Brilliant.

Absolutely beautiful. Dame Judy does it again.

This is my favorite rendition ☹️

everything she is does is breathtaking

Stunning, whenever she performs this song Dame Judi is just stunning. Thanks for posting

I'd always heard this song, growing up, by Judy Collins and others, but never really liked it particularly. It wasn't until I saw Judi's performance on this video that I really understood this song. She is just amazing, brings such life and meaning to it.

I just saw Bernadette do this, and all props to the glorious Ms. Peters (she was fabulous by the way! Go see, only till the first week of Nov.!), whenever I think of this song, I think of Judi Dench.

Wonderful, heartful, filled with meaning....I cry for her.

I just watched her performance on BBC Proms 2010, and was enthralled. Then I came here. I'm 55 years old, have been singing since I was 16 (39 years), and I'm proud to say that I've never cried so hard and so loud as I have while listening to this masterpiece. In the aforementioned version - Proms - she performed it masterfully. But in this version, the addition of a "target" for the song was so over the top. To say that this version is a masterpiece isn't good enough. When you can move to tears when it's needed; when you can insert a hand into a chest cavity and gently remove a hart, leaving the "victim" there to live through the performance, all the while crying - not because of the loss of a heart, but because it's so believable; whoever can do that needs to be teaching others how to do the same thing. BRAVA, Dame Judi!

By not being able write a comment about this says how outstanding it is

@photojean1 I'm with you. I have heard this song, through many interpretations, but thanks to Dame Judy, I now know the words by heart...because she sings them from the heart.

@greyztone I have to say, I prefer a song interpreted by a great actor who doesn't sing so well over a great singer who doesn't act so well. Dench's performance is what first helped me feel this song.

I remember watching this on TV years ago.... so glad it is on youtube now. Wonderful music. Judi Dench is so great.

what an incredibly talented woman..........

WOW!!! Judi Dench pretty much creeps me out everytime I look at her, but I LOVED this performance!!! She was so amazing and real that I actually cried. I could feel the pain behind the song. She as well as her performance was beautiful.