Christopher Bond's: "SWEENEY TODD"
Christopher Bond's: "SWEENEY TODD"
romgitsean
Broadway Star Joined: 4/7/08
#1Christopher Bond's: "SWEENEY TODD"
Posted: 4/21/10 at 5:25pm
Has anyone here ever seen/read the dramatic adaptation? How does it differ, exactly?
And what license company carries it? I know a few people considering doing a dramatic adaptation but satisfy an audience expecting the musical. I've looked EVERY WHERE but cannot cease to find it :c
Recent Broadway and Off-Broadway:: Carrie, Merrily, Ionescopade
Next On The List :: Clybourne Park, Once, Streetcar, BOM
Next On The List :: Clybourne Park, Once, Streetcar, BOM
#2Christopher Bond's: 'SWEENEY TODD'
Posted: 4/21/10 at 6:32pm
Christopher Bond wrote the play BEFORE Sondheim wrote the musical, hence, Sondheim's musical is the adaptation, not the other way around.
But no, I've never seen it.
"I want a lap dance from an octopus."
-JG2
-JG2
#2Christopher Bond's: 'SWEENEY TODD'
Posted: 4/21/10 at 7:11pm
Having just directed a production of Sweeney, and reading the Bond script beforehand, it's amazing how inspired Sondheim was by that version. There are differences in the story, but when you read it you'll be surprised at how much of it sounds familiar. Of course, Sondheim made it all his own - but, there are scenes in the Bond script where it reads like Sondheim just added music to them. Sondheim actually saw a production of the Bond version in London in the late 60's/early 70's, which inspired him to write the musical.
I believe the theatre order the Bond script off of Amazon. But not sure about that.
#3Christopher Bond's: 'SWEENEY TODD'
Posted: 4/21/10 at 7:40pm
otis, are there any major differences between the two?
~Steven
#4Christopher Bond's: 'SWEENEY TODD'
Posted: 4/21/10 at 9:00pmUsing "Adaptation" is correct for Bond's play, as they're both based on a much older source.
#5Christopher Bond's: 'SWEENEY TODD'
Posted: 4/21/10 at 9:34pmOtis, you make it sound like Sondheim wrote the entire musical himself.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
#6Christopher Bond's: 'SWEENEY TODD'
Posted: 4/21/10 at 9:55pm
From what I've read, Christopher Bond is the one who made Sweeney Todd what he is, a tragic, anti-hero. In the original penny dreadfuls, Sweeney Todd was just a serial killer with no goal. Bond gave him that focus - to avenge his wife and kill the Judge.
So, yes, Bond created Sweeney Todd.
"I want a lap dance from an octopus."
-JG2
-JG2
A Director
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/18/07
#7Christopher Bond's: 'SWEENEY TODD'
Posted: 4/21/10 at 10:58pmSamuel French holds the rights for Bond's Sweeney Todd. He's listed as C.G. Bond.
#8Christopher Bond's: 'SWEENEY TODD'
Posted: 4/22/10 at 1:25am
Sorry - I did make it sound like Sondheim is solely responsible for the musical. My apologies to Mr. Wheeler. To be more specific, the lyrics were clearly inspired by the dialogue in the Bond script.
Fellow posters are correct - Bond was the first to give Sweeney a bit of a soul, and humanize him. Sondheim elaborated on certain characters and relationships, but other than that not many differences in story between the Bond version and the Sondheim/Wheeler musical.
Muhlethaler
Featured Actor Joined: 10/13/06
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