Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a book by Hugh Wheeler. It is based on the 1973 play of the same name by Christopher Bond. Sweeney Todd opened on Broadway in 1979 and in the West End in 1980.

When did Sweeney Todd start killing?

Haining states that the murder of Todd's first victim was reported in the Daily Courant of 14th April 1785, when Todd killed a man after an argument before disappearing down the alley by the side of his shop.

What year did Sweeney Todd take place?

Set in 1785, the story featured as its principal villain a certain Sweeney Todd and included all the plot elements that were used by Sondheim and others ever since.

Is Sweeney Todd Based on true story?

Sweeney Todd is a fictional character who first appeared as the villain of the Victorian penny dreadful serial The String of Pearls (1846–47). ... Claims that Sweeney Todd was a historical person are strongly disputed by scholars, although possible legendary prototypes exist.

How long was Sweeney Todd gone?

Story. Sweeney Todd's real name is actually Benjamin Barker, a barber who was accused of a crime he didn't commit. He was sentenced for life in a prison in Australia, but managed to escape after 15 years.

How the Music Spoils Sweeney Todd (and why that's a good thing!)

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What happened to Benjamin Barker's wife?

Lucy Barker was Benjamin Barker's wife and while he was arrested, she was raped by Judge Turpin, which drove her to attempt suicide by poisoning. Mrs. Lovett tells Sweeney Todd (previously Benjamin Barker) that she had poisoned herself, however she conveniently forgets to add that she survived the attempted suicide.

Where was Sweeney Todd for 15 years?

After being exiled to Australia for 15 years on bogus charges, Todd returns to London, seeking a reunion with his family—and then revenge. This is the basis for Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's stage musical, which Tim Burton made into a movie in 2007.

Is Fleet Street Real?

Fleet Street is a major street mostly in the City of London. ... The street became known for printing and publishing at the start of the 16th century, and it became the dominant trade so that by the 20th century most British national newspapers operated from here.

Can Johnny Depp sing?

Did they really sing in Sweeney Todd? The actor has starred in six of Burton's films, been on the receiving end of gallons of gore , and, he says, the director is like a delighted child when he is around it. Yes, Johnny Depp did his own singing in the film Sweeney Todd.

Why is Sweeney Todd 18?

The MPAA rated Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street R for graphic bloody violence.

Is Sweeney Todd based on the Barber of Seville?

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Singing Barbers: Although Stephen Sondheim was inspired by the Victorian penny dreadful serial The String of Pearls, Sweeney Todd owes a tip of the hat (or razor) to The Barber of Seville.

Did Sweeney Todd Love Mrs Lovett?

In every version of the story in which she appears, Mrs. Lovett is the business partner and accomplice of barber/serial killer Sweeney Todd; in some versions, she is also his lover.

How old is Toby in Sweeney Todd?

In the stage musical, Toby is portrayed as a mentally handicapped adult; Ken Jennings, who originated the Broadway role, was 31 on opening night, and Neil Patrick Harris was 27. In the 2007 movie, he is a child and not mentally ill, portrayed by 14-year-old Ed Sanders.

Why is the blood in Sweeney Todd so fake?

TIL The blood on set for Sweeney Todd was coloured orange so it rendered correctly on the desaturated color film used. This reminds me of The Addams Family; the rooms were very vibrant and colorful.

What happens to Toby after Sweeney Todd?

Lovett later search the cellars for Toby, who by then has vanished into the catacombs. At the end, Todd realizes that he has murdered his own wife Lucy, whom he did not recognize, as she appeared to be a mad beggar woman. ... However, in the film version, Toby does not appear to be caught or to have gone insane.

Is Sweeny Todd a good movie?

"Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" is one of the best musical films ever made and probably the last truly excellent Tim Burton effort in directing. ... Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman and Timothy Spall compelte this luxury cast, which is one of the most talented one assembled in a musical!

Can Johnny Depp speak French?

Johnny Depp speaks French, he conducted interviews in French while in Paris with Tim Burton. ... She obviously speaks English, but is also fluent in Bulgarian and French.

Who is the lead singer of Hollywood vampires?

Hollywood Vampires is an American rock supergroup formed in 2015 by Alice Cooper, Johnny Depp, and Joe Perry performing cover songs to honor the music of the rock stars who died from excess in the 1970s (despite the fact that they started to write their own material beginning with their second album).

Can Johnny Depp dance?

Johnny Depp dropped out of high school to become a rock star, not an actor. ... One of Depp's greatest fears is having to get out on the dance floor. "I just don't dance," he once said.

Why did Benjamin Barker change his name?

Benjamin Barker had to change his name in order to avoid recognition upon his return. The fact that he picked such a peculiar name such as Sweeney Todd might just seem eclectic to anyone that is not aware of what the name Sweeney Todd really means.

What was Sweeney Todd's barber shop called?

Sweeney Todd, the demon barber of Fleet Street, had his shop at number 186 Fleet Street, which is now the Dundee Courier building with a Kwik copier shop below, as pictured here. On this site he is believed to have robbed and murdered over 150 customers, thereby making him the number one killer in London's history.

How old is Judge Turpin?

He knew that the devout Christian Judge (Turpin, 65 years old in 1846) had been denied marriage by Lucy and had been angered by the fact that she had married a lowly barber instead of somebody important like him.

Is Mrs Lovett an alto?

MRS. LOVETT (Alto/Mezzo G3 – E5, Cockney accent, moves well, age range 35-50) An amoral, pragmatic seller of meat pies -- takes practicality to a ridiculous level. She lusts after Todd. A very high-energy role.

Did Sweeney Todd know Johanna was his daughter?

She is nearly murdered by her father when he discovers her, as he does not recognize her as his daughter (seeing as he had never met her since infancy and because she is disguised as a young man). She survives when Mrs. Lovett screams in the basement bakehouse, distracting Todd and allowing her to escape.