Sweeney Todd the Barber: A Melodrama

by Brian J. Burton, George Dibdin Pitt (Contributor)

The story of the demon barber of Fleet Street has been a classic since 1847 and was the feature of Queen Victoria's first command performance. Mr. Burton's version is laced with both song and humour in the best of old fashioned melodramatic styles. "This is real theatre, exciting and fast".

Adapted from George Dibdin Pitt's Victorian version of the legendary drama.
Book, music and lyrics by Brian J Burton.

Genres: Plays, Horror, Fiction

78 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1962

Reviews

[Kennedy Spitzer]

God I love the insanity of this play.

[Jillian]

So, this is not the famous Sweeney Todd musical of Broadway and film fame by Sondheim and Wheeler. It's an entirely different play and author, just based on the same source material. Maybe that's an obvious statement, but since I wasn't really familiar with the show, I didn't catch my mix-up at first when I randomly found a copy of this script in my parents' attic and started reading. Whoops! But hey, I finished it and I figure it'll be interesting to compare the two when I eventually do read or see the more famous Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

This Brian J. Burton version of the murderous barber has some really excellent moments of dark humor and comedic hypocrisy. There are cutting lines and visual gags that I could see playing really well. But the characters and their storylines could have been more clear and convincing, and the song lyrics were subpar.

[Jen Okulanis]

I just saw it on broadway and had sooo many questions after seeing the show. Felt like would help me understand the material more. I don’t care for the story and it’s even more clear to me after reading the play. (I did enjoy the broadway show though!) Not my cup of tea, that’s for sure. While I love a good gothic or dark material,this one is just a slice of pie I could do without.

[Jeanette]

I would love to see this performed. Too bad any audience to a production of this would think it the more famous Sondheim version and end up being, unjustifiably, disappointed. This is melodrama done right. Love it.

[Emma Kay Krebs]

2.5 stars.