Originally Posted by Karen 6th December 2006

Possible Spoilers


About Mrs. Lovett..

She holds the key to one of the mysteries in this story and she is a plot mover as well.

What do you think of Mrs. Lovett?

What do you think are her motives?

Does she love Sweeney?

Want to use him?

Neither? Both? What?

Nurseanne8


I like Mrs. Lovett because she is a survivor-she recognized a need in Sweeney for revenge and was able to come up with a business plan to meet both their needs. In the DVD version there is some hint that Mrs. Lovett has some feelings for Sweeney-but I feel she lusts for a man and he meets her requirements-Sweeney has no feelings for her except utilizing her "meat pies" as a way to hide his bodies. Sweeney borders on psychosis most of the time and is not able to connect with anyone-and his need for revenge and joy in killing give him a purpose to get out of bed each morning. I think the production would be boring-without a Mrs. Lovett that is as ruthless and crazy as Sweeney.

Herestoyou


What Anne said---------also, it's interesting that she does keep the secret. I think this was for her personal gain. Would Sweeney have acted differently if he had known this secret? I think he might not have killed as much as he did. Also, I think she felt her chances sexually were better with Sweeney as he was mentally unbalanced and well, she wasn't exactly in high demand by the men in the area. So, in a way, she's as demented as Sweeney. However, there is that part when the boy(can't remember his name), is getting her to think twice about Sweeney and what he's doing. Ultimately, though, she still realizes that Sweeney is an advantage for her. Pretty sick couple, aren't they?

Nurseanne8


As Donna stated they are a sick couple but this adds to the melodrama of the piece-I imagine that Mrs. Lovett earned her way with her feminine charms before she became a Mrs. and age caught up with her. Her conscience troubles her sometimes as stated with the young boy-but she is able to tuck it away and continue with her deeds.

Karen


SPOILER ALERT


Really interesting thoughts....but I can't help but wonder why Mrs Lovett didn't tell Sweeney the truth. She "ammended" it..held back..what did she think would happen?

Herestoyou


I think she held back because she knew Sweeney would go after his wife. If he found her, then he possibly wouldn't supply Mrs. L with the "meat" she needed for her tasty pies.

Nurseanne8


I agree with Donna-and also the partnership or "relationship" between Sweeney and Mrs. Lovett would end.

Karen


Please correct me if I am wrong as I don't have the book with me right now, but didn't she talk about the "plight" of Barker's wife before the pie making
"partnership?" LOL

Nurseanne8


"Possible spoilers"

Karen I reviewed the DVD-from what I gather-Mrs. Lovett told ST the story about the barber's wife's death from poisoning when they first met when she recognized him and every time the begger woman came around she ran her off or distracted ST. Mrs. Lovett encouraged him to set up shop above her pie store and when the bodies were starting to accumulate the idea for a partnership was born-more her motivation than ST's. I think he would have continued his killing even without the partnership. Due to the success of the partnership Mrs. Lovett's income increased and she purchased a more expensive wardrobe and By the Sea is presented which shows her goals and motivation for ST like you stated. Mrs. Lovett was not to concerned about the possibility of the begger woman's true identity being revealed since she was "termed" crazy everyone shooed her away quickly-and ST was so caught up in his grief and revenge his mental picture of his wife is from when she was young-not as she would appear years later and he rebuffed her in the opening act so when she comes around he turns away. Sorry I was so wordy.