This video is the only preservation of a truly remarkable musical that never really got its due. Murray Head, a performer who also never really got his due, stands out in this rare collection of videos, made before the musical was staged in London. I happened to work in a video store in the early eighties, and was able to get a copy, but I know of no one else who has even heard of this video. It is a good thing, because the American version of the show suffered two fatal blows: by the time the show came to Broadway, the Iron Curtain had fallen and the show became a dated period piece. Further, changes were made to what was an excellent script, and the new script eliminated some wonderful songs and replaced them with mediocre ones. Some of the songs on this video were removed when the show came to America. In subsequent regional and community theatre productions, companies were forbidden to use any version of the show except the inferior American production.
Though these concept videos in no way represent what was finally presented on stage, they capture some fine performances. If you can find it, drag out the old VCR and enjoy.
