Sweeney Todd: performance conventions

Musical Theatre and Opera

‘Sweeney Todd’ is often referred to as a musical thriller. This unique genre-blend distinguishes it from a traditional musical or opera.
The plot heavily relies on music to drive forward the narrative and express characters’ emotions. The orchestral score, composed by Stephen Sondheim, plays a crucial role in creating a tense, gloomy, and dramatic atmosphere.
The character of Toby sings a vaudeville style number ‘Pirelli’s Miracle Elixir’, widening the theatrical dimensions of the performance.

Use of Characterisation and Makeup

The characters in ‘Sweeney Todd’ are richly layered with distinctive personality traits, which are brought forth through dialogue and song.
The makeup and costumes come into play in emphasizing the characters’ personas. Sweeney is presented with a pale countenance and grim attire to represent his sorrow and wrath, while Mrs. Lovett’s colourful, seemingly cheerful appearance contrasts with her sinister actions.

Setting and Props

The industrial backdrop of lower-class London in the Victorian era is traditionally used in ‘Sweeney Todd’. The portrayal of homes, pie shop, and barbershop all give glimpses of life in the 19th century.
The props such as the razor, pie tins, and the mechanical chair are significant as they symbolise critical story elements – murder, cannibalism, and technology misuse.
The special effect of blood spray during murder scenes is a prominent performance convention, enhancing the thrill and horror of the plot.

The Chorus

The chorus is a significant element in ‘Sweeney Todd’, used as townspeople and customers. They also serve a narrative role, foreshadowing events and reflecting on the tragic events unfolding.
The chorus contributes to the musical aspect of the performance, aiding in building harmonic textures.

Proxemics and Blocking

In ‘Sweeney Todd’, proxemics (spatial relationships) are crucial to denote power dynamics, relationships, and emotional states.
Blocking (movement direction) is used to evoke the rhythm of characters’ thought processes, tension, and to illustrate pivotal narrative elements like Sweeney’s murders.
The barber chair, the elevated platform for the pie shop, and other spatial elements support the story’s symbolism and thematic depth.

Use of Lighting

Lighting plays a significant role in creating mood, tension, and focus in ‘Sweeney Todd’. Use of spotlight, dim lighting, and coloured lighting further enhances the dramatic elements of the play.
Shadow play and lighting from different angles are used to enhance the melodramatic impact – such as casting long, sinister shadows during Sweeney’s killing spree.

Studying these performance conventions in ‘Sweeney Todd’ will give you a holistic view of how multiple elements intertwine to create a compelling theatre experience.