A Timeline of Sweeney Todd
From penny dreadful to Johnny Depp; a timeline of Sweeney Todd in popular culture.
- November 1856 — Sweeney Todd first appears in a penny dreadful titled The String of Pearls: A Romance. The serialized novel has no official Tomas Peckett Prest and James Malcolm Rymer.
- 1847 — George Dibdin Pitt produced The String of Pearls at Hoxton’s Britannia Theatre, a melodrama very closely related to the penny dreadful
- 1865 — Frederick Hazleton’s adaptation of The String of Pearls premieres at The Old Bower Saloon
- 1926 — Sweeney Todd appears in a 15 minute silent film directed by George Dewhurst and starring G.A. Baughan as Sweeney Todd.
- 1928 — George Didbin-Pitt’s play is adapted into a silent film directed by Walter West and starring Moore Marriot as Sweeney Todd
- 1936 — George Didbin-Pitt, Frederick Hayward, and H. F. Maltby write a feature length horror film called Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street directed by George King and starring Tod Slaughter as Sweeney Todd
- 1959 — The ballet Sweeney Todd, Op. 68 with music by Malcolm Arnold and choreography by John Cranko is first performed by the Royal Ballet touring company at the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, with the Royal Opera House Orchestra conducted by John Lanchbery. The role of Sweeney is danced by Donald Britton.
- 1962 — The String of Pearls is adapted into a four act melodrama with book, music and lyrics by Brian J. Burton. This musical premieres at the Crescent Theatre in Birmingham.
- 1970 — Bloodthirsty Butchers, a 1970 horror film directed by Andy Milligan features John Miranda as Sweeney Todd.
- 1973 — Christopher “C.G.” Bond adapts The String of Pearls and audiences finally meet the Sweeney Todd that would become the inspiration for Sondheim’s musical.
- 1979 — Stephen Sondheim adapts C.G. Bond’s play into a musical called Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. The musical, with book by Hugh Wheeler stars Len Cariou as Sweeney and Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Lovett
- 1980 — Sondheim’s musical transfers to the West End with Denis Quiley and Sheila Hancock taking over the roles of Sweeney and Lovett. This year, there is also a U.S. Broadway tour starring George Hearn and Angela Lansbury. The musical has had six revivals between 1989 – 2023 on Broadway and in the West End.
- 2007 — Tim Burton directs the film adaptation of Sondheim’s musical starring Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter.
More about Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street:
Reviews of Sweeney Todd (2024)
"It is no exaggeration to say that from the ensemble to the demon barber himself, every single actor in this production is a master of their craft." - PDX Parent
Stephen Sondheim
Sondheim is considered one of the most important American composers — contributing to the sound and story of the American musical theatre. Read a brief biography and chronology of this celebrated, award-winning artist.
A Synopsis of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd at your own risk; there be spoilers within!
An Interview with Sweeney Todd Director Chip Miller
PCS Literary Manager Kamilah Bush talked to Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street director Chip Miller about their deep connection to Sondheim and why "rage in the world" makes the show so relevant today.
Sweeney Todd Reading List
Calling all readers! Multnomah County Library put together a reading list inspired by our production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
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