If you have not watched Sweeney Todd movie (any of the three versions), then you have really missed some great story, action, drama, acting, and of course star cast.
The plot centers on Benjamin Barker, who eventually returns to London as Sweeney Todd to exact revenge against Judge Turpin over his wrongful imprisonment.
Here we will talk about Sweeney Todd cast from various adaptations of the musical, including the original Broadway production, the 2007 film adaptation by Tim Burton, and some other notable recent revivals, with some detailed plot summaries for each version.
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Sweeney Todd Cast
Original Broadway Cast (1979)
1. Original Broadway Cast (1979)
The original Broadway production opened on March 1, 1979, starring an extraordinary cast that set the benchmark for future interpretations:
- Len Cariou as Sweeney Todd: Very haunting and emotional portrayal by Len, Cariou beautifully captures Todd’s turn to madness following revenge.
- Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Lovett: She brought both humour and pathos with her performance. She received a Tony Award for her performance
- Victor Garber as Anthony Hope: Garber played the innocent sailor who unknowingly gets caught in Todd’s tragic tale.
- Sarah Rice as Johanna Barker: Rice showcases Johanna’s innocence and longing for freedom.
- Edmund Lyndeck as Judge Turpin: The corrupt judge was brought to life by Lyndeck with chilling authority.
- Jack Eric Williams as Beadle Bamford: Williams portrayed the oppressive enforcer of Turpin’s will.
- Ken Jennings as Toby Ragg: Jennings captured Toby’s innocence and eventual realization of the horrors around him.
Plot Summary:
In the original stage version, Sweeney Todd returns to London after having spent fifteen years wronfgully behind bars. He finds out from Mrs. Lovett that his wife, Lucy, died by poisoning herself after being raped by Judge Turpin, who has taken their daughter, Johanna, as his own. Intent on seeking revenge against both Turpin and accomplice Beadle Bamford, Todd resumes his barbershop business above Mrs. Lovett’s meat pie shop.
As he starts killing his customers, Mrs. Lovett suggests the use of bodies in her pies to enhance her business. The story progresses with multiple subplots including Anthony’s love for Johanna and Todd’s psychotic behavior.
In a tragic climax, Todd finds that the beggar woman he had killed was Lucy. In frustration, he pushes Mrs. Lovett into the oven and Toby kills him.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
2. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
Tim Burton’s movie adaptation hit theaters on December 21, 2007, with a stellar ensemble cast:
Johnny Depp as Benjamin Barker / Sweeney Todd:
Johnny Depp plays the role of Sweeney Todd, a vengeful barber returning to London, wrongly imprisoned for fifteen years. His performance is inhabited by a haunting intensity as he transforms from a wronged man into a vengeful killer.
Depp went through vocal training for the role that allowed him to perform Sondheim’s complex musical numbers successfully. His interpretation largely depicts Todd’s psychological distress and insanity, especially as he does in songs like “My Friends,” in which he contemplates the loss of his humanity and desire for revenge.
Helena Bonham Carter as Nellie Lovett:
Helena Bonham Carter plays Mrs. Lovett, proprietor (owner) of a meat pie shop, who conspires with Todd. Carter’s portrayal is a mix of comedy and pathos; she gives off a whimsical quality to Mrs. Lovett while also revealing darker ambitions.
Her character is central to the plot, as she suggests using Todd’s victims in her meat pies, which leads to this ghastly business deal. Songs like “A Little Priest” demonstrate her comedic ability and willingness to sort of accept the dark sides of their scheme.
Alan Rickman as Judge Turpin:
The corrupt Judge Turpin has wrongly imprisoned Sweeney Todd to steal his wife, Lucy Barker. Rickman is chillingly great as the judge. He reveals the lecherous nature and uses of the abusing power of the judge with commanding authority.
He is the principal antagonist whose ambition fuels Todd’s quest for vengeance. In such songs as “Pretty Women,” Rickman renders the character’s obsession with Johanna, adding his villainy with depth.
Beadle BamfordTimothy Spall:
Spall’s portrayal of Bamford was sinister and matched Rickman’s Turpin well in that he was serving as his enforcer of his will.
Sacha Baron Cohen as Adolfo Pirelli:
Cohen’s flamboyant took on the role provided comic relief to balance the darkness in this movie, especially as it related to his rivalry with Todd.
Jamie Campbell Bower as Anthony Hope:
Bower played bright-eyed, youthful, and earnest in his portrayal of Anthony, capturing the characters’ infatuation with Johanna and desire to rescue her from Turpin.
Laura Michelle Kelly as Lucy Barker/Beggar Woman:
Kelly played out both Todd’s wife and her lunatic counterpart, giving the story more depth with her one role.
Jayne Wisener as Johanna Barker:
The portrayal of Wisener gave light to the cruel existing system against Johanna but also a resilient soul who sees her through the mess.
Ed Sanders as Tobias “Toby” Ragg:
Sanders showed how easily innocence turns into horror for Toby as he discovers what Todd really is.
Plot Summary:
In this adaptation of Sweeney Todd, set in Victorian London, Benjamin Barker is falsely imprisoned by Judge Turpin, who lusted after Barker’s wife, Lucy. Fifteen years later, Barker returns under the name Sweeney Todd to carry out his revenge.
He learns from Mrs. Lovett that Lucy has died by suicide after being raped by Turpin, and their daughter Johanna is now put under the care of Turpin. Todd reopens his barbershop upstairs above Mrs. Lovett’s meat pie shop and soon begins to murder his customers. Mrs. Lovett comes up with the idea of using their bodies in her pies to bolster the business.
During the movie, Todd continues his murderous spree and then attempts to murder Turpin; it is during this scene where Anthony interrupts the attempted crime. Todd realizes, in a sad twist of fate that he murdered Lucy when he killed the beggar woman who had been hanging around his shop. He murders Mrs. Lovett in a fit of rage and desperation before being killed by Toby.
Sweeney Todd Film (2023 Broadway Revival)
3. Sweeney Todd Film (2023 Broadway Revival)
This 2023 revival injected new life into “Sweeney Todd” with a quality cast:
- Josh Groban as Sweeney Todd: Groban displayed powerful vocals in the play as he portrayed Todd’s tragic journey.
- Annaleigh Ashford as Mrs. Lovett: Ashford brought humor and warmth to her role.
- Jamie Jackson as Judge Turpin: Jackson portrayed the menace in Turpin.
- Maria Bilbao as Johanna Barker: Bilbao presented Johanna as both vulnerable and strong.
- Jordan Fisher as Anthony Hope: Fisher developed youthful energy to the character of Anthony.
Plot Summary:
In this revival production, Sweeney Todd returns to London after years of wrongful imprisonment only to find that his wife has died and his daughter is in the control of Judge Turpin. Joining Mrs. Lovett, he resumes cutting hair in his upstair barbershop over her meat pie shop and begins his vengeance on those who did him wrong.
The storyline is pretty much similar to the previous adaptations but with modern theatrical techniques and interpretations that would appeal to the contemporary heart of the people. As Todd falls deeper into madness while killing randomly, he ultimately faces the tragic conclusion of his actions when he realizes that he had killed Lucy and then, turning against Mrs. Lovett.
Conclusion
Across the various adaptations of “Sweeney Todd,” from the stage to the screen, the cast itself has contributed much to the legacy of this iconic musical. From Len Cariou and Angela Lansbury on Broadway to Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter in Tim Burton’s film adaptation, each actor brought a unique flavor to this haunting tale of revenge and lack of moral.
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