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Stephen Sondheim has noted that one of the major themes of this story is obsession and that is also the theme of this blog

[maeson-stars]

i could kinda tell from the start that burton’s sweeney todd wouldn’t be completely faithful to what sondheim intended but man. i cannot believe he cut kiss me

[sweeneytoddblog]

Just saw an argument that Toby should never be written as a child because “Not While I’m Around” is a love song. He HAS TO be an adult

Coupla things since I’ve seen this take before:

Toby’s character has been envisioned as a child before the musical; even Sondheim himself seems to have considered this as he refers to Toby as a “young boy, rather demented, but lovable,” in his original pitch. https://youtu.be/uF3HK0l_MY4?si=1uOtI8Utnr2uW_i0

It’s fine to prefer Toby as an adult, but I don’t see why it’s not also fine to prefer Toby as a child. Toby being a child doesn’t “miss the point,” if the only necessary point is for him to underestimate Mrs. Lovett; the rest of their relationship dynamic is up to that specific production and actor.

And while we’re on the topic of preferred interpretations, mine for “Not While I’m Around,” is that it’s NOT ROMANTIC. Songs and relationships that aren’t romantic are too often ignored or cheapened in fiction. And a romantic angle also lends to a less compelling characterization of Mrs. Lovett.

[sweeneytoddblog]

hey can you drop the link to that bootleg you’re posting about? PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE

I'm wary of posting it directly, but I'll message you! :)

[sweeneytoddblog]

Is Sweeney and Lovett walking into a pit of blackness implying that they went to hell?

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They walked in RIGHT as Toby was killing Sweeney! No question of who did it at all! Poor Toby, Gaten is terrifying when insane tbh

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Ooh this scene with Lucy recognizing the room is interesting

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Johanna seems very dependent on Anthony here, like she sees him as not only a way out but a protector. Which is kind of ironic seeing as she just shot Fogg for him

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After Johanna killed Mr. Fogg someone shouted “YEAH!”

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Bro WAIT what is with the sexual undertones between Beadle and Lovett

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Gotta love the full version of Parlor Songs. John Rapson is killing it

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Wow Beadle just stole something off their desk. He must know he’s kind of evil in this one

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I can’t figure out if Toby is supposed to be neurodivergent or not. But I would lean towards yes

Annaleigh is shedding actual tears I think 😭

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I said this about the cast recording too, but….let the tenor during The Letter HOLD HIS NOTE!!!!

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I’m honestly unsure how to feel about this overly sexual interpretation of Mrs. Lovett. I mean that was always part of her character, but some of these acting choices are just…a lot.

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Sweeney’s glasses 🥺

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They did not hold back on that devil symbolism for Mrs. Lovett!!!

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V excited to see which cast members are about to die only to appear in the next scene