Sweeney Revival Lyrical Changes?

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/21/05 at 9:03pm

I have seen the Sweeney revival, but didn't really notice.

What major lyrical changes took place? It's been said some lyrics were indeed changed.

Could someone list some examples?
Updated On: 11/21/05 at 09:03 PM

[Lavieboheme3090]

Posted: 11/21/05 at 9:12pm

I don't know if this was just a mistake but when I saw it, during the last Ballad of Sweeney Todd, Sweeney said "what happens then, well thats the play, and he wouldn't want to give that away" insted of "It seek revenge may lead to hell, but everyone does it if seldom as well." But like I said, that could have just been a minor slip up.

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Posted: 11/21/05 at 10:12pm

"I don't know if this was just a mistake but when I saw it, during the last Ballad of Sweeney Todd, Sweeney said "what happens then, well thats the play, and he wouldn't want to give that away" insted of "It seek revenge may lead to hell, but everyone does it if seldom as well." But like I said, that could have just been a minor slip up."

That was just a slip of the tongue. I saw Sweeney on Saturday and Cerveris had all the verses in the right order.

Hmm, during the show I do remember thinking that a line or two was different but now I can't remember what those were.

[C is for Company]

Posted: 11/21/05 at 10:31pm

Majority of the Contest was cut along with the tooth pulling scene which was cut from the original too and like never seen again lol. Basically other than that, much of it is all intact and in perfect condition

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 11/21/05 at 11:51pm

Well, I did read in several places that Sondheim made a few changes in the music and lyrics to accommodate the production. Anyone know of specifics?

[Nokros]

Posted: 11/24/05 at 12:41pm

Mostly, it was during "God, that's Good". Since they didn't have a fancy barber chair, they found something else to be a chair and as significant as the fancy barber chair, but it wasn't the mechanical contraption that it's been in many productions. They changed some lyrics involving the mechanics of the chair. I can't remember exactly what the changes were, unfortunately. There might have been another instance, but I can't remember that off the top of my head..

[sfboy20]

Posted: 11/24/05 at 1:13pm

that is right.

the lyrics changes were mostly made to accomodate the lack of barber chair, and therefore the changing of stage business.

for instance, his instructions to lovett to "knock three times" was simplified, etc.

and there were cuts in the contest, per usual.

[Pgenre]

Posted: 11/24/05 at 1:20pm

I remember seeing the Kennedy Center production and the lyrics to the opening "Ballad of Sweeney Todd" were slightly altered from "Like a perfect machine he planned..." to "Like a ****ing machine...". I do not remember hearing this lyric in the current revival, although at the time of the Kennedy Center production Sondheim stated he preferred the revised line...
anyone know which lyric is being used in the current revival?

A Good Nightmare Comes So Rarely,
P genre

[Nokros]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 1:49pm

It's "Like a perfect machine he planned" in this revival.

[Jon]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 2:44pm

I've seen those "F---ing Machines" for sale at "adult novelty" stores.

[InTheRed]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 9:03pm

LOL jon!

[morosco]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 10:31pm

"...the Kennedy Center production and the lyrics to the opening "Ballad of Sweeney Todd" were slightly altered from "Like a perfect machine he planned..." to "Like a ****ing machine...".

Are you serious? They were changed to "Like a ****ing machine...". Really??

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 11/26/05 at 1:12am

I'm assuming the "****ing" starts with an "F"?

And what would be the purpose of altering that lyric? I have no problem with vulgarity, but it just doesn't work with the Victorian feel of the piece...

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Posted: 11/26/05 at 3:16am

"I'm assuming the "****ing" starts with an "F"?

And what would be the purpose of altering that lyric? I have no problem with vulgarity, but it just doesn't work with the Victorian feel of the piece..."

I agree that change feels very out of place, but that was how I heard that lyric as well in the Kennedy Center production.

[morosco]

Posted: 11/26/05 at 11:59am

Seems to me that using a word like "****ing" that early in a show could alienate a lot of the audience. I would think that using "like a bloody machine" instead would not only have the same impact, it would also draw less attention to itself.
Updated On: 11/26/05 at 11:59 AM