I rented "Once Upon a Matress" from Netflix, and it arrived last night. I thought I was getting the version with Carol Burnett...well, it was Carol, but she was playing Aggravain instead of Winnifred. Then, as it was starting up, I noticed it was the Disney production. Great
.
I must say that Ms. Burnett does a fabulous job as Aggravain. She has this way of going totally over the top, but making you feel like she's not over the top, that the character is just that "big". I can't say the same for Tracy Ullman, who plays Winnifred in this version. Winnifred is an over-the-top character, but Tracy just tries WAY too hard.
The actors who played the King & Prince were pretty good. The actors who played Larkin & Harry were not bad, but not good. I think they were too "cutesy" (thank you, Disney).
I loved the musical when I saw it at my highschool (we had wonderful actors, who mostly are involved in theatre still...even in Regional and NYC productions). I was less then lukewarm on this version. The Minstrel was non-existent, and the Jester was a bit part. "Many Moons Ago", "The Minstrel, the Jester, And I", and "Yesterday I Loved You" were completely cut. Part of "Normandy" was sung by Larkin and Harry. Other songs were watered down. An extra song for Aggravain was added. The Spanish Panic was pathetic.