The story of Sweeney Todd has been around, in various forms, since 1785, when it first appeared as a serial “penny dreadful” tale. It was adapted as a play by Christopher Bond in 1973, and as a musical by Stephen Sondheim in 1979.
The original Broadway cast included Len Cariou as Sweeney Todd, Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Lovett, and Victor Garber (Spy Daddy!) as Anthony Hope, the sailor who rescues Sweeney from the ocean. By the time the show was telecast in 1982, George Hearn had taken over the title role, and Garber had been replaced by Cris Groenendaal.
The telecast (available on Netflix, y’all) is simply a recording of the musical as it appears on stage. The set includes a rotating box which acts as Mrs. Lovett’s sitting room, the basement bake house, and, on the top floor, Sweeney’s tonsorial parlor. In addition, there are several sets of stairs, a catwalk, and the front facade of Fogg’s Asylum. It sounds very sparse, but with the talent that this show packed in, the limited sets are really all it needs.
As someone who had only Tim Burton’s movie (which I love, not gonna lie) to judge and compare with this production, I truly enjoyed it. The role of Sweeney was intended for a bass baritone, and it was satisfying to hear George Hearn’s deep, dark voice compared with Johnny Depp, who I think is more of a tenor. Hearn gives the character much more personality than Depp’s interpretation, and proves a perfect match to Angela Lansbury’s delightfully manic Mrs. Lovett. If you’re a fan of Tim Burton’s version (or the show itself), you should do yourself a favor and check out this version. The pared-down visuals give you a chance to really focus on the story and Sondheim’s brilliant score.
Which brings me to my first installment of Diva of the Moment: Angela Lansbury
With the exception of Julie Andrews, no feisty, mega-talented British woman had more impact on my childhood than Mrs. Lansbury. My sisters and I have probably seen Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Beauty and the Beast, and Anastasia a thousand times between us. I also spent a lot of time bonding with my grandmother watching Murder, She Wrote (and Father Dowling Mysteries, but that’s another entry!).
Her career has spanned almost seven decades, and she’s amazing. If you haven’t delved past the Disney or Jessica Fletcher portion of Mrs. Lansbury’s work, here are a few recommendations:
- Gaslight (1944)
- The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945)
- The Manchurian Candidate (1962)
- Death on the Nile (1978)
- Nanny McPhee (2005)
Do yourself a favor and spend some time getting to know my Diva of the Moment.*
(*I chose Diva of the Moment over Diva of the Week or Month, because who’s to say I won’t pick a new Diva in two days? Or not update my blog again for two months? 
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