sweeneytoddtheforum

Jeff · Joined: 29 Jun 2008 Posts: 17

I was wondering if anybody else thought there were mixed feelings going on between Sweeney and Mrs. Lovett in the old play version.

I read the version edited by Marvin Kaye, and he talks about playing around with different versions, and apparently just changed stuff because he liked it better that way, so maybe it's not even part of the original play...

But how he seemed jealous when he thought (knew?) she was having an affair with Rev. Lupin. And then he's all angry, and he grabs her hand and says something like "we'll sit her holding hands, like lovers." Of course, he's maybe just being a jerk.

And then he kills her, but seems to feel bad about it. "There is blood upon my hands, and she is dead." Or couldn't you read that as satisfaction rather than remorse?

Or after he escapes and comes back for the money, he looks in the oven and asks Mrs. Lovett (who's burned anyway. I guess he fell on his head during the escape, and he's all messed up, poor fellow.) who killed her. "Tell Sweeney, he'll revenge you. He'll cut their throats, too." And then promises to count out her share for her. And starts to. Is that just the head injury talking?

And then agan, he was cheating her out of the loot the whole time...

I don't know. 'Cause everytime there's something else it could be, and it really doesn't look like Mrs. Lovett cares for him very much. Unless maybe she used to before the whole people pies thing got out of hand.

So, figured I'd ask if anybody else thought there was something to it. Or if Mr. Kaye there was just playing fast and loose with the text...

benjaminbarker · Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 7:39 am Post subject:

Jeff - this is fascinating! I'm not at all familiar with this version of Sweeney Todd. Do you know where I can get a copy?

BB

Jeff · Joined: 29 Jun 2008 Posts: 17

I think you can get it on half.com.

tonip · Joined: 03 Jul 2007 Posts: 104 Location: liverpool

[quote="benjaminbarker"]Jeff - this is fascinating! I'm not at all familiar with this version of [i]Sweeney Todd[/i]. Do you know where I can get a copy?

BB[/quote]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sweeney-Todd-Demon-Barber-Street/dp/1592240097

first presented on the london stage as 'The String of Pearls - The Fiend on Fleet Street'

benjaminbarker · Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 9:47 am Post subject:

Thanks Jeff and Tonip for the info. Smile