In 1846, Anthony Hope sails into London with the mysterious Sweeney Todd, a once-naive barber whose life and marriage was uprooted by a corrupt justice system. Todd confides in Nellie Lovett, the owner of a local meat pie shop, and the two become partners, as Todd swears revenge on those that have wronged him and decides to take up his old profession.
Acting
Hearn's volcanic rage meets Lansbury's giddy malevolence.
Direction
Prince's Brechtian staging makes you complicit in every murder.
Score
Sondheim's dense, relentless score—no wasted syllable.
Director
Hal Prince
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This filmed version captures the original Broadway production with its full 26-piece orchestra—larger than most theater pits even today.
Sondheim based the show on Christopher Bond's 1973 play, which gave Todd motivation; prior versions painted him as pure monster without tragic backstory.
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