Originally Posted by Karen 14th December 2006


This story is chocked full of points we didn't hit on...LOL..

Is there anything else you all want to bring up? Music, staging, more on that chair? Any of the relationships in the story?

Jesse


I'd like to know how other people see Johnny's version of Sweeney Todd. Which way will he dress Sweeney?

When he was filming CATCF he said every time he was remotely reminded of Gene Wilder's 'Wonka' he veered off on a sharp left (or was it right?). So will he play the character as we've never seen Sweeney played or stick as close to the image we all have had placed in our minds by other performances?

Myself, I see Sweeney dressed entirely in black except for a waist coat which will be deep red and black with a gold chain hanging from the pocket. He will carry a gold topped walking cane and wear a top hat...but not brand new clothes, clothes which have been left behind by clients!!! That would be a nice little evil touch!

Johnny will have long hair, but be clean shaven (after all he is a barber) and for some reason I see him wearing glasses.

Does anyone else have a vision in their mind? I wonder who will come the closest?

MacktheKnife


I will be very interested in the period of time it is going to be set in. Certain periods of English history had very strict dress codes. Jesse I think he would look stunning in the clothes you describe - but I am not sure about the gold. It would not do if ST had wealthy merchants as clients and he was better dressed than them.

Karen


You Brits would know better than I, but I can't help but see him in something similar to a frock coat.....maybe a dash of blood red tho...hehe

And yes, longish hair..I just see Sweeney as a sinister Abberline. Can't help meself!

Jesse

Agreed Mack, a little over the top maybe (where have I heard that before!) LOL!

I think I'm combining the Burton Gotham/Scissorshands/Sleepy Hollow with Wonka and coming up with a sort of Gothic Willy Wonka character. What if they decide to pay tribute to Edward and have Johnny starting off as a wild-haired man arriving back in England, who once he establishes his business then becomes the smartly dressed Wonka/Ichabod Crane character? They could pay tribute to all of their previous collaborations. They could have fun with that..heck, I could have fun with it. Do they need a script writer???!! LOL!

Now I am REALLY going over the top!

MacktheKnife

At the start of the story he is disembarking from a ship, and he has been rescued at sea. So the costume he wears then should reflect that. When he starts barbering I would hazard a guess that he would wear breeches, a shirt (white or off-white) a plainish waistcoat and an overall of some kind. Barbers also pulled teeth out so would want to protect their clothes. I think a frock coat would be too fancy and formal. The judge and beadle could wear frock coats. I think ST would have longish hair and would be clean shaven.

Nurseanne8


Costume ideas sound good to me several choices-I am curious did anyone figure out that the begger woman was such an important character? I totally missed it.

Herestoyou


Can't wait to see what they come up with for costumes on this one-knowing Johnny/Tim, it will be great. I'm only guessing Sweeney will have long hair as Johnny is obviously letting his hair grow out(unless he cuts it right before shooting). I must say, he completely shocked me when I first saw the clip for CATCF, so who knows what he'll come up with for ST!

I'm just hoping they build some story around the relationship between Sweeney, wife & child before everything went crazy. Maybe they would add more about the mental hospital as well. I'm not a blood & guts person (still can't watch the beheadings on SH), so I hope it's not too graphic. If so, I'll just know to close my eyes like I do on SH------

Herestoyou

I didn't think anything until you see her holding/cradling a doll I think in Sweeney's shop..........then I had some idea she could be the mother.........

Karen


Good thoughts about more of a backstory about the wife and daughter...maybe flashbacks?

Herestoyou


Flashbacks would work, similar to CATCF maybe?

Karen

That sure would work for me and it's an often used, easy method to bring the audience into the history of the character. I think there are a few spots in the story where a flash back would fit in perfectly. At what point in the story would y'all want to see a flashback?

MacktheKnife


Ahhh the beggar woman!! I read the script and know why she is important..... do you want me to post a spoiler? I'll see if I can find the script.... and post a link to it.

Karen

Thanks so much...we've pretty much carefully danced around the actual ending of the story even with spoiler alerts posted. We know who she is, but what we are wondering is if they might include some visual kind of back story as to what happened between Sweeney's wife and the judge.

Post a spoiler alert if you'd like to!

Nurseanne8


Maybe as ST departs the ship and begins his wanderings in London and is approached by the begger woman-a bit of a flashback to explain why ST was sent to prison and show how the ill fated relationship between Todd's wife and the judge that led her to attempt suicide-a little bit of irony that his beloved wife is before his very eyes. I would like to see a bit of flashback-about the relationship between Johanna and the judge as he is going to Todd's shop for his make over.

Karen

Seems as if there are a couple of places for flashbacks....and we would need at least 2, don't y'all think?

Nurseanne8


Yes or have Tobias at the start-before the tale of ST number do bit of explaining regarding the judge/prison/wife to help set up the first song or have the begger woman walking along the street- before she approaches Todd-muttering to herself relating a tale of the problems with the judge/prison/loss of her Johanna-and it appears she is crazy but of course she is not. just some ideas.

Karen


These are all great ideas everyone!! Maybe we should do an outline of the film version. See what we all think.

Nurseanne8


I am game but need to think about it-how should it start? Burton's films uaually start with fantastic previews of sets that will be seen in his films-so I imagine a view of London, Fleet Street, shops and a quick-very quick-view of a barber chair and razors-might be flashed on the screen-maybe a prison ship at sea-then London-what do you think?

Karen

I think you are on to something...maybe have the "chorus" walking the streets and after the big panorama shot...have them start the "Attend the tale of Sweeny Todd" as they continue to show the streets and people of the area...maybe the Beggar woman and the bird seller and maybe even Tobias in the distance...

MacktheKnife


Ahh - thanks for the explanation Karen. I have not seen the musical version - but did read the script which is online. There is an ideal place for the back story, imo, and it is where Mrs L tells about what happened.

You can read the libretto/script

http://libretto.musicals.ru/text.php?textid=516&language=1

Karen


Thanks so much for that link! I've read the libretto and the book as well. If you have a chance try and rent the DVD of Sondheim's musical. It's the one with Angela Lansbury and I think it will give you an idea of what the story looks like on stage with music added. I am a fan of all kinds of musicals, operas etc and love that Johnny will finally be able to use his acting and his love of music in the same project. I think we will get to see yet another side of this multi talented man.