SWEENEY TODD Adapted by John-Robert Partridge & Catherine Prout
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`SWEENEY TODD Adapted by John-Robert Partridge & Catherine Prout A SMITH SCRIPT This script is protected by copyright laws. No performance of this script – IN ANY MEDIA – may be undertaKen without payment of the appropriate fee and obtaining a licence. For further information, please contact SMITH SCRIPTS at [email protected] CHARACTERS SWEENEY TODD MRS LOVETT TOBIAS RAGG JOHANNA OAKLEY EDITH CHARLIE VICAR LIEUTENANT THORNHILL ARABELLA SAM FREDERICKS MR CARLISLE COLONEL JEFFREY SKINNER MAJOR RUTLEDGE MISS HEALY JARVIS TAILOR MR MUNDEL CHURCH WARDEN MRS RAGG WATSON MR FOGG DR HEPPLEWHITE MR WRANKLEY Sweeney Todd The Demon BArber of Fleet Street Scene One – Fleet Street Mrs Lovett enters followed by Edith and her other workers Edith Before Fleet-street had reached its present importance, and when George the Third was young, and the two figures who used to striKe the chimes at old St Dunstan's church were in all their glory there stood close to the sacred edifice in bell yard a pie shop. ChArlie Famed for their extraordinary taste and texture run by widowed Mrs Lovett Mrs Lovett Good morning Edith Edith Morning Mrs Lovett Mrs Lovett Head down to the law courts with those, the lawyers love a good penny pie after the morning proceedings Edith Yes mum Mrs Lovett Hello Charlie, thought you were on deaths door ChArlie No chance Mrs L, I’m fit as a fiddle Mrs Lovett Right lad off to John Murrays publishers, I’m sure those folks at the paper will be wanting a nice bit of veal or venison. ChArlie WorKs up an appetite all the writing Mrs Lovett Mrs Lovett That it does Charlie, now off you go! Edith People from all over London would come to have a taste of these extraordinary pies. Those who would asK what was in them would get the reply Mrs Lovett My reciepe’s are all I have, I shall taKe them to the grave with me ChArlie Across the yard is a small barber's shop, which was kept by a man of the name of Sweeney Todd. The chimes of St. Dunstans are heard. Enter the Vicar with a young boy Tobias Ragg Vicar Now just you remember your manners young man. Mr Todd has taKen you on, because of your potential and the friendship he shares with your mother. He will give you a hiding once in a while which is to be expected. Just Keep a civil tongue in your head my lad, otherwise you are liable to lose it! Edith A penny pie sir? Vicar Ah thank you yes Edith One for the boy sir? Vicar Certainly not, he eats plenty already. Could you point me in the direction of Mr Sweeney Todd’s Barber Shop? Edith Certainly sir, just across the yard there Vicar Thank you, come along boy They exit, enter Lt. Thornhill Mrs Lovett Penny pie Captain? Lt. Thornhill No thanK you Mrs Lovett Come come now Captain, people come from all London to get a taste of Mrs Lovett’s delicious pies Lt. Thornhill No thanK you madam. But if you will so oblige me, I am on my way for an appointment and would like to look better presented Mrs Lovett LooK no further sir, Sweeney Todd’s Barber shop across the yard there, the finest barber in all of Fleet Street, the closest shave you will ever have Lt. Thornhill Thank you madam ChArlie How it was that he came by the name of Sweeney, we are at a loss to conceive, but such was his name Edith Barbers by that time in Fleet-street had not become fashionable, and no more dreamt of calling themselves artists than of taking the Tower by storm ChArlie Sweeney Todd was a barber of the old school, and he never thought of glorifying himself on account of any extraneous circumstance Scene 2 – The Barber’s Shop The Vicar is being shaved by Mr Todd and Tobias Ragg is mixing the shaving cream Sweeney Todd You will remember, Tobias Ragg, that you are now my apprentice, that you have of me had board, washing, and as for lodging, you lodge here, you Know, very comfortably in the shop all day. Now, are you not a happy dog? Tobias Ragg Yes, sir Sweeney Todd You will acquire a first-rate profession, and quite as good as the law. There we are Vicar Vicar Ah, I am most grateful Mr Todd for the skills god has given you Sweeney Todd I just do my best sir. Tobias the Vicar’s coat! Vicar You are an example to us all Mr Todd, taking in wicked boys and giving them food and shelter and a profession. Thank you Mr Todd (offers Sweeney Todd payment) Sweeney Todd No sir, I couldn’t taKe money from the church, please put in the collection at evensong Vicar God bless you Mr Todd The Vicar exits Sweeney Todd Now lad, listen to me, and treasure up every word I say. I'll cut your throat from ear to ear, if you repeat one word of what passes in this shop, or dare to make any supposition, or draw any conclusion from anything you may see, or hear, or fancy you see or hear. Now you understand me - I'll cut your throat from ear to ear -do you understand me? Tobias Ragg Yes, sir, I won't say nothing. I wish, sir, as I maybe made into veal pies at Lovett's in Bell Yard if I as much as says a word Sweeney Todd Good lad, and if any customer gives you a penny, you can keep it. Tobias Ragg Thank you sir Sweeney Todd Now looK sharp, we have a customer. Ah come in sir, have a seat I will be with you in a moment. Lt. Thornhill Thank you Sweeney Todd Tobias, if you would liKe to prepare the gentlemen. LiKe I showed you! Now sir, a close shave for you? Lt. Thornhill Indeed Sweeney Todd Very good. Tobias be careful with that (he goes to strike Tobias but thinks better of it) I don’t recall seeing you in here before sir? Seaman are you? Lt. Thornhill You are perfectly right master barber. I have just returned from an expedition in India Sweeney Todd Oh really? And what brings you to London? Lt. Thornhill Well as you seem so fond of asKing questions you can answer one for me and that will answer yours as well Sweeney Todd Yes sir, what is it? Lt. Thornhill Do you know of a Mr Oakley a spectacle maker from these parts? Sweeney Todd To be sure I do. John Oakley the spectacle maker. He has a shop on Fore Street with his nag of a wife and a beautiful daughter called Johanna Lt. Thornhill Poor child Sweeney Todd Why poor child sir? Lt. Thornhill I spoKe of my recent voyage to India. On that same ship sailed a young man to whom young Johanna was betrothed. He spoKe of her often during the long night watches. Sadly the poor fellow perished, the salt water washes over as brave a heart as ever beat. It is my unfortunate duty to inform poor Miss OaKley that MarK Ingestrie is no more Sweeney Todd Tis pity, to be sure. But death comes to us all with but little recompense Lt. Thornhill At least his sweetheart will have the string of pearls as a keep sake of his affection Sweeney Todd String of pearls? Lt. Thornhill How the sailor came by them I could not say. But they were entrusted to me. If she cannot be his wife in this world, she can, at least be well provided for and live well and happily until they meet aloft Sweeney Todd You carry these pearls with you now? Lt. Thornhill Well I must deliver to Miss OaKley. But having been at sea for so long, I felt a close shave would be required for this formal and sad duty. So once we are finished here, I will make all haste to her, now that you have provided me with the address. I am to deliver her this note Sweeney Todd Well sir, to save your hurry, why not allow my boy here to deliver the note for you. It will give you time to change and to be refreshed to greet the young lady in a manner you would wish to be seen. Lt. Thornhill Well Mr Todd, I have journeyed a long way to ensure this note is delivered into her hands Sweeney Todd Boy, do you know the shop of Mr Oakley Tobias Ragg Yes sir, I do indeed Sweeney Todd Good lad, well run along and once you have delivered the note, go via Mr Pentvilles and collect some biscuits I have ordered Tobias Ragg Yes Mr Todd Lt. Thornhill Very well. Young man here is a penny for you for the trouble. Tobias Ragg Many thanKs to you sir Tobias exits with the note Lt. Thornhill Thank you Mr Todd Sweeney Todd Not at all sir, if you just lie back. I will polish you off Blackout Scene 3 – Fore Street ArabellA My dear Johanna. I came as soon as I received your note. What has happened? JohAnnA Lend me your serious attention. Arabella it was on this day two years ago, here in these very gardens. When last I met with someone. He had just come from a stormy interview ArabellA Of what nature? JohAnnA Of his future profession. He had met with his uncle and his guardian.