`SWEENEY TODD Adapted by John-Robert Partridge & Catherine Prout

A SMITH SCRIPT

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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. The two quarrelled irreconcilably. Mr Grant wanted to make a lawyer out of him. But Mark would hear nothing of it. He abhorred the very idea of it Arabella Mark Ingestrie? Johanna Yes. At length he told me he must go and seek his fortune, that fortune which he had hoped to share with me. He said he had the opportunity of undertaking a voyage to India, and that if he were successful, he should return and commence some pursuit in London more congenial to his thoughts than the study of law. Arabella What next? Johanna He told me that he loved me Arabella And you believed him? Johanna Arabella, you would have believed him, had you heard him speak. There are times and seasons when we know that we are listening to the majestic voice of truth, and these are the tones which sink at once into the heart, carrying with them a conviction of their sincerity which neither time nor circumstance can alter. Such were the tones in which Mark Ingestrie spoke to me. Arabella Does your father know? Johanna He knew us only as friends and frowned even upon that. Arabella, Father and Mr Grant are very old and dear friends Arabella Oh Johanna Johanna Mark and I made an agreement on this precise day two years ago, that he was to come to me or send to me news of his whereabouts. If I heard nothing from him, I was to conclude he was no more and I cannot help concluding so now. Arabella But the day has not yet passed Johanna I know it has not, and yet I rest upon but a slender hope. And now Arabella, you know all I have to tell you. You know how truly I have loved and how after teaching myself to expect happiness, I have met with nothing but despair. You may judge for yourself how sadly the fate of Mark Ingestrie must deeply affect me, and how lost my mind must be in all kinds of conjecture concerning him Arabella My dear Johanna, I never expected to hear from your lips so sad a tale. This is most mournful. Though I was half inclined before to quarrel with you for this tardy confidence – for this is the first that I have heard of this whole affair – the misfortunes that oppress you are quite sufficient without my adding to them by the shadow of reproach Johanna I will own I did hesitate to inflict upon you my miseries

Arabella But did you think so lightly of our friendship that it was not to be entrusted with nothing but what wore a pleasant aspect? True friendship is surely best shown in the encounter of difficulty and distress. I grieve Johanna indeed that you have so much mistaken me Johanna Nay, now you do me an injustice. It was not that I doubted your friendship at any moment, Arabella, but that I did, indeed, shrink from the shadow of my sorrows over what should be and what I hope is the sunshine of your heart. That was the respect which deterred me from making you aware of what I suppose I must call this ill-fated passion Arabella Not ill-fated Johanna. Let us believe that the time will come when it will be far otherwise than ill- fated Johanna But what do you think of all that I have told you? Can you gather from it any hope?

Enter Tobias Ragg with the note

Arabella Abundance of hope, Johanna. You have no certainty of his death Tobias Ragg Excuse me miss. Are you Miss Oakley? Johanna I am Miss Oakley Tobias Ragg A letter for you miss. I was told to hand it to you directly Johanna From who? Tobias Ragg I do not know miss. A seafaring man I do swear, but cannot tell you more

Tobias exits

Arabella How very curious Johanna Indeed (she reads) For news of Mark Ingestrie, come to the Temple Gardens one hour before sunset, and do not fear addressing a man who will be holding a white rose in his hand Arabella Johanna! Johanna He lives! He lives! Oh, it is daylight now and sunshine compared to the black midnight of despair. Mark Ingestrie lives and I shall be happy yet. Arabella You will go?

Johanna Of course I shall go. The white rose is an emblem of purity and affection, and that is why his messenger carries it. I will be there. One hour before sunset, yes even two hours before sunset! Perchance he returns to tell me he can now make me his and that no obstacle can now interfere to frustrate our union. Oh that this messenger had come but yesterday! What hours of anguish I should have been spared! But I will not complain. In the consciousness that I shall soon hear blissful tidings of Mark Ingestrie, I will banish every fear Arabella I wish you an abundance of joy Johanna!

They exit

Scene 4 – Mrs Lovett’s Pie Shop

Tobias Ragg Excuse me Mrs Lovett Mrs Lovett Yes boy, what can I do for you? Tobias Ragg A penny pie please Mrs Lovett And where did you get that you scruffy thing? Tobias Ragg I was running an errand for Mr Todd Mrs Lovett Ah, are you his new boy? Tobias Ragg Yes mum Edith Whats your name? Tobias Ragg Tobias Ragg miss. I had to deliver a message for an officer and as reward Mr Todd gave me a penny Mrs Lovett Well Tobias Ragg, these pies are cold but there are a new batch coming up any moment now Tobias Ragg I cant be late Mrs Lovett Mrs Lovett What’s your hurry? If you wait a few minutes, I’ll bring you a fresh pie hot from the Tobias Ragg It’s all the same to me. Besides, I got to get these biscuits back or Mr Todd will have my hide. Sam Fredericks Why, Tobias Ragg, where have you been since you left Mr Snow's in Paper-buildings? I have not seen you for some days

Tobias Ragg No, I have gone into another line: instead of being a lawyer, and helping to shave the clients, I am going to shave the lawyers now. Sam Fredericks What? do you mean to say you are going to be a barber? Tobias Ragg Yes, I am with Sweeney Todd, the barber of Fleet Street, close to St Dunstan's Sam Fredericks The deuce you are! well, I am going to a party tonight, and I'll drop in and get dressed and shaved, and patronise your master

(Sweeney Todd enters and stands behind Tobias, watching him finish the pie. As Tobias rises and turns, he is startled to find Todd standing there.)

Sweeney Todd Couldn’t resist the pie shop, eh, Master Ragg? Tobias Ragg No, sir. But I’ve only been here a minute. And I’ve got your biscuits, sir. Sweeney Todd Hark ye, lad! The only thing I can excuse in the way of delay upon an errand is one of Mrs. Lovett’s pies. That I can look over, so think no more about it. Now, get you back to the shop at once and mind any customers there. I have some small business to attend to, but I shall return within the hour. Tobias Ragg Yes, sir. Right away, sir. Sweeney Todd Good lad

Tobias exits

Sam Fredericks Mr Todd, May I call upon you later, I am in need of your services Sweeney Todd Certainly sir Sam Fredericks Is it true you give the closest shave in all of London? Sweeney Todd I have heard it said at least I have had no complaints Sam Fredericks Thank you sir, I will call in later

He exits

Mrs Lovett Where does one find adequate help these days? Sweeney Todd Not on Fleet Street, I assure you, ma’am. Mrs Lovett Good day, Mr. Todd. Sweeney Todd Good day, Mrs. Lovett. Mrs Lovett Seems a good boy Sweeney Todd He’s a rap scallion Mrs Lovett! Another work house boy. But he will do Mrs Lovett You can entrust your shop to the boy? Sweeney Todd For the time being, he’s eager to please and takes a beating making him far more receptive Mrs Lovett Lucky! The same, unfortunately, cannot be said of Skinner. Sweeney Todd The new cook? Mrs Lovett This one has had a particularly brief duration. Six weeks ago to the day I first hired him. Sweeney Todd What is the danger? Mrs Lovett No danger, he is just useless. He cannot keep up with the orders of pies. Something must be done. Sweeney Todd Would you like me to have a word? If he is unhappy I am sure we can create a vacancy at this fine establishment Mrs Lovett It will be necessary. It is but one more. Eat or be eaten, Mr. Todd. Sweeney Todd I must say you have a very perfect and philosophic mode of settling the question. Mrs Lovett And when is this all to have an end? Ten years ago we came to our mutually beneficial arrangement. You send customers to me and I send customers to you Sweeney Todd Indeed Mrs. Lovett. Mrs Lovett Bound we are together, indeed. But I have begun to fear the night. Cannot you and I steal away as we always spoke of Sweeney Todd Ah, Mrs. Lovett, but a few more weeks. Then, never ending rest from all these sordid matters shall be yours. But for now, I have some business at the tailors shop and the lawyers will soon be here, as they forever descend at the hour of noon, vultures demanding their veal and pork pies, their…carrion. Mrs Lovett The law must be served, Mr. Todd. Sweeney Todd Yes, mustn’t it Mrs Lovett