She has been dancing for most of her life and has appeared in such shows as "Cats" and "A Chorus line."
Ms. Henshall has recorded three albums, 'Love is Here to Stay, ' a tribute to the music of the Gershwins and two others entitled 'Pilgrim' and 'The Ruthie Henshall Album.'
This multi-talented star of the stage can sing from a low belt to a high soprano. She also is an excellent actress who effortlessly moves audiences to tears.
Ruthie Henshall has played Ellen in "Miss Saigon, " Fantine in "Les Miserables, " Nancy in "Oliver, " and both Velma and Roxie in "Chicago." She and Michael Ball received the Theatregoer's Club of Great Britain Award for Most Popular Musical Stage Actor and Actress. Ruthie made her debut on Broadway in "Putting it Together."
She is married to Canadian-born, UK based singer (lead singer for the UK based band Van Tramp) and actor Tim Howar. They have two daughters.
Send in the Clowns
Ruthie Henshall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Are we a pair?
Me here at last on the ground,
you in mid-air.
Where are the clowns?
Isn't it bliss?
Don't you approve?
one who can't move.
Where are the clowns?
There ought to be clowns.
Just when I'd stopped
opening doors,
finally knowing
the one that I wanted was yours,
Making my entrance again,
with my usual flair,
Sure of my lines,
no one is there.
Don't you love farce?
My fault, I fear.
I thought that you'd want what I want
sorry, my dear.
And where are the clowns?
Quick, send in the clowns.
Don't bother, they're here.
Isn't it rich?
Isn't it queer?
Losing my timing this late
in my career?
And where are the clowns?
There ought to be clowns.
Well, maybe next year
The song "Send in the Clowns" by Ruthie Henshall is a poignant ballad that expresses a sense of disillusionment and resignation. It opens with the lines “Isn't it rich? Are we a pair? Me here at last on the ground, you in mid-air. Where are the clowns?” These lines suggest a moment of confusion and a sense of being trapped. The singer is on the ground, while someone else is in mid-air, and together they are seemingly incomplete. The question “where are the clowns?” implies a desire for salvation or rescue.
The second verse continues this theme, with the lines “Isn't it bliss? Don't you approve? One who keeps tearing around, one who can't move. Where are the clowns? There ought to be clowns.” The word “bliss” suggests a kind of happiness or contentment, but it is quickly undercut by the observation that one person is “tearing around” while the other “can't move”. The singer seems to recognize that there is a disconnect or imbalance in the relationship, and once again she implies a desire for someone or something to come to her rescue.
As the song progresses, the singer reflects on her own role in the situation. She sings “Just when I'd stopped opening doors, finally knowing the one that I wanted was yours… Sure of my lines, no one is there. Don't you love farce? My fault, I fear. I thought that you'd want what I want sorry, my dear.” These lines express regret and self-blame, as the singer comes to the realization that she has been chasing a fantasy. She thought that her desires were aligned with those of her partner, but she was mistaken. And despite her efforts to perform her role with “flair” and “sureness”, she finds herself alone and abandoned.
Line by Line Meaning
Isn't it rich?
Isn't it ironic?
Are we a pair?
Are we truly compatible?
Me here at last on the ground,
I have finally grounded myself from chasing after you.
you in mid-air.
You are still floating above, not grounded like me.
Where are the clowns?
Where are the people to entertain us when we are down?
Isn't it bliss?
Isn't it wonderful?
Don't you approve?
Aren't you happy for me?
One who keeps tearing around,
Someone who is always on the go.
one who can't move.
Someone who is stuck and can't progress.
Where are the clowns?
Where are the people to make us laugh and forget our problems?
There ought to be clowns.
There should always be someone to entertain and comfort us.
Just when I'd stopped
Just when I thought I had moved on.
opening doors,
Exploring new opportunities.
finally knowing
Finally realizing.
the one that I wanted was yours,
Realizing that you were the person I truly wanted but couldn't have.
Making my entrance again,
Giving it another chance.
with my usual flair,
With my usual style and confidence.
Sure of my lines,
Certain about what I wanted to say and do.
no one is there.
But you are not there anymore.
Don't you love farce?
Don't you find it amusing?
My fault, I fear.
I take the blame for the situation.
I thought that you'd want what I want
I assumed that you wanted what I wanted.
sorry, my dear.
I apologize for my misjudgment.
And where are the clowns?
Where are the people to help me during my embarrassing moment?
Quick, send in the clowns.
I need someone to save me from this awkward situation.
Don't bother, they're here.
I realize that the clowns, the entertainers, are already present.
Isn't it queer?
Isn't it strange?
Losing my timing this late
Losing my sense of timing this far into my life.
in my career?
In my life as a performer.
There ought to be clowns.
There should always be someone to help when we are down.
Well, maybe next year
I hope things will be better next time.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STEPHEN SONDHEIM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Susan
Send in the Clowns
Judy Collins
Isn't it rich?
Are we a pair?
Me here at last on the ground,
You in mid-air,
Where are the clowns?
Isn't it bliss?
Don't you approve?
One who keeps tearing around,
One who can't move,
Where are the clowns?
There ought to be clowns?
Just when I'd stopped opening doors,
Finally knowing the one that I wanted was yours
Making my entrance again with my usual flair
Sure of my lines
No one is there
Don't you love farce?
My fault, I fear
I thought that you'd want what I want
Sorry, my dear!
But where are the clowns
Send in the clowns
Don't bother, they're here
Isn't it rich?
Isn't it queer?
Losing my timing this late in my career
But where are the clowns?
There ought to be clowns
Well, maybe next year
IraZorn
INCREDIBLE performance. so much emotion, not overdone, nicely subdued but still showing off a remarkable vocal ability.
Bunny Mad
Agree. Her voice could easily overtake the song and it didn't. True artistry. She's amazing.
Paul Sacco
And what an amazing beauty. That dress! Sizzle....
Mark Schwartz
I enjoy listening to Ruthie sing songs. She has a powerful voice and she has range. Her talent is astounding at times, because there is so much acting in the words the way she delivers them, yet she doesn't gesticulate. She doesn't have to. Instead, she used her awesome talents and simply takes over the stage - any stage on which she stands!
lesliedrewh
Ruthie Henshall sings "Send in the Clowns" so beautifully. She clearly understands the self-mocking irony of the song, yet she also expresses Desiree's pain and disappointment so poignantly. I've heard so many people sing this song, but Ruthie's version is one of the best - incredibly moving.
JON MICHAEL ROSE
Ms. Henshall does a truly marvelous job in telling a very sad story thru the use of notes, lyrics and her extraordinary talents. So very, very well done. JMR
Stephen Naimoli
I wish I could favorite this twenty more times. ruthie is one of the most talented musical theatre singers of today. her voice just soars with such emotion. I have been watching this video over and over and over; I can't get enough. Brava, Miss Henshall.
acydeucy
I couldn't agree with you more. Yes, this performance is simply breathtaking. It is, for me, captivating and beautifully executed. I've watched it numerous times, and it never ceases to move me. It's like watching a beautiful sunset, only better!
Nature boy
Has to be THE BEST rendition of this song, I believe every word she sings and says....just stunning.
Joe W
I just used those exact words to describe it myself