Not for Sondheim purists
Not for Sondheim purists
#1Not for Sondheim purists
Posted: 12/7/13 at 6:59pm
Which Sondheim characters look as though they've transferred to Matilda, so they can watch the telly?!
Maybe it's an episode of Coast.
Phyllis Rogers Stone
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/16/07
#2Not for Sondheim purists
Posted: 12/7/13 at 8:01pmSally is thinking about Ben, and Buddy wants to know when he can get back to Margie.
#4Not for Sondheim purists
Posted: 12/8/13 at 4:47am
"The link mentions Sweeney."
Thanks for destroying the fun of the thread. I'm quite sure Phyllis and Sally, and 99% of other board users are capable of working this out for themselves, if they so wish.
Phyllis Rogers Stone
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/16/07
#6Not for Sondheim purists
Posted: 12/8/13 at 4:16pmI don't see a link either. Sorry the fun got spoiled, but that's an extraordinary image of those characters.
#7Not for Sondheim purists
Posted: 12/14/13 at 6:05pm
Link/URL/Image Location: same difference.
It is, as Ijay so correctly didn't guess, Sweeney Todd set in the 1980s. I do like the idea of transferring Sweeney to the 1980s but I don't think the production pulled it off.
My friend, sat on the front row, did persuade the theatre management to buy him a new pair of trousers when he got splattered with blood during the judge's death scene.
("I can't go outside looking like this!")
Updated On: 12/14/13 at 06:05 PM
#8Not for Sondheim purists
Posted: 12/14/13 at 6:46pmSo, basically recommended for folks looking for a new pair of pants?
Boybooshka
Leading Actor Joined: 10/25/06
#9Not for Sondheim purists
Posted: 12/14/13 at 6:57pmWatched this production at the Royal Exchange in Manchester, the era change totally worked. Best production of sweeney ive seen.
#10Not for Sondheim purists
Posted: 12/14/13 at 9:52pmSo is the point of changing the era to the 1980s to comment on Thatcherism and Reaganism?
#11Not for Sondheim purists
Posted: 12/15/13 at 11:22amIt could, although the only political stand-in figure is the Judge, whose personal politics are never touched on other than his utter corruption. Rather, Sweeney Todd must explicitly take place during an economic recession or outright depression for the central plot of ex-cons and greedy bakers using people as the main ingredient in their pies to make sense. Thus, there are only so many time periods in which you could make it work.
#12Not for Sondheim purists
Posted: 12/15/13 at 8:56pm
"How comforting for once to know
That those above will serve those down below."
darquegk, I agree the judge stands in for the corrupt Victorian power structure, but there is political commentary throughout the show. (I realize Sweeney kills people of all classes, but the quote above shows a special relish in taking on the elite.)
Most importantly, as you point out, is the political context of gross economic inequality, but that leaves a number of periods when the play might be set. Maybe even today.
#13Not for Sondheim purists
Posted: 12/16/13 at 12:39am
I love the idea of setting Sweeney in bleak 1980s Britain. Thanks to the OP for starting this thread! Couple of vids below...
Trailer with brief clips from the show
#14Not for Sondheim purists
Posted: 12/16/13 at 12:41am
...and....
Designer Colin Richmond (he can have it!) discusses the production design
Videos