Sweeney Todd Expo (2)-merged-compressed

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Production Overview

• Title: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

• Music and Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim

• Book: Hugh Wheeler

• Director: Laura Chaney

• Set Design: Klair Soukup

• Lighting Design: Laura Chaney

• Costume Design: Blynn Evans

• Hair/Makeup Design: E. Blaha

• Props Design: Kordelia Taylor

Props Design Concept

• Focus on immersive, functional props that enhance storytelling.

• Emphasis on alignment with gritty, macabre aesthetic of the narrative.

• Consideration of practicality for dynamic stage use.

• Use of materials and techniques that evoke an eerie tone.

• Attention to texture, color, and form to represent decayed elegance.

• Integration of larger props and small symbolic details into the visual language.

• Collaboration with the director and design team to meet narrative and practical needs.

Props Development Process

• Presetting: Assisted in making a master props list for intermission changeovers.

• Included details on switch out necessities and props that needed to be preset.

Specific Prop Design Examples

Meat Grinder

• Original Design Issues: Chamber too small for meat.

• Reworking: Made a standalone unit on wheels for ease of movement.

• Created a mop head as a base material dyed with red paint and food coloring for realism.

Pies

• Material: Used salt dough to prevent molding; painted for aesthetic.

• Formed pies around aluminum foil for shape control and drying efficiency.

• All pies designed as "hand pies" for the musical number “God, That’s Good.”

Special Effects

Pirelli's Miracle Elixir

• Designed to resemble a mixture of urine and ink with greenish chartreuse base.

• Added blue glitter for a visual effect that reflects character's flamboyance.

• Label made in Canva for readability and fun appearance.

Character Props

Mrs. Lovett’s Table

• Created a dirty, cluttered surface to emphasize character’s environment.

• Collaborated with actress portraying Lovett to ensure familiarity with space.

Bird Seller’s Pole

• Designed for whimsy with a large, arching pole instead of a cart.

• Created with PVC to allow for mobility and function; wrapped in paper-mâché for texture.

Artist Reflection

• Experience emphasized adaptability and creative problem-solving in theater design.

• Strengthened confidence through resourcefulness using unconventional materials.

• Recognized tendency to overthink, but learned to trust instincts for quicker decision-making.

• Commitment to crafting designs that tell compelling visual stories reinforced.

Historical Context of Sweeney Todd

• Originates from early 19th-century English penny dreadfuls.

• The most noted story of Sweeney Todd is The String of Pearls, published between 1846 and 1847.

• This story is a quintessential example of early 19th-century English penny dreadfuls, which were sensationalized serialized publications aimed primarily at working-class readers.

• Penny dreadfuls often included lurid tales of crime, horror, and adventure, reflecting the anxieties and moral concerns of Victorian society.

• The String of Pearls blends fact and fiction, intricately weaving real-life events with gothic horror elements to heighten public intrigue about crime, notably the fears associated with the urban environment of London during industrialization.

• The story introduced Sweeney Todd as a barber who murders his clients and disposes of them in meat pies, showcasing grotesque themes that resonated with audiences.

• Its sensationalist narrative not only captivated readers but also popularized the trope of the murderous villain in literature, paving the way for subsequent adaptations in theatre and film.

• The initial popularity of The String of Pearls demonstrated the public's fascination with dark stories, leading to its enduring legacy and numerous retellings, including the influential musical adaptation by Stephen Sondheim in 1979.

• Blends fact with gothic horror elements to resonate with crime anxieties of Victorian London.

Story Adaptations and Impact

• The first stage adaptation appeared in 1847, demonstrating public fascination.

• Influential musical adaptation in 1979 redefined narrative complexity and themes.

Themes Explored in the Musical

• Vengeance and Justice: Protagonist’s transformation raises moral questions.

• Class Divide: The exploitation of the poor highlighted throughout the narrative.

• Character Dynamics: Todd as a sympathetic figure grappling with monstrous acts.

• Visual and Musical Storytelling: Use of complex structures and motifs to reflect characters' dualities.

Props as Narrative Devices

• Each prop symbolizes critical story elements; for example, Todd’s razors reflect his history.

• Grotesque humor balances horror in Mrs. Lovett’s pie shop.

• Overall aesthetic designed to immerse audience in the contrasting themes of beauty and brutality.