November 11, 2025

Episode 304 - Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (feat. Beadle Steve)

3 hours 47 minutes

At last… our pod is complete again.”

Join Ian, Liam & Megs (she always goes last), along with Friend of the Podcasters: Beadle Steve, for our 304th episode as we sharpen our razors, roll out the pie dough, and dive into the gothic, gory glory of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007).

This week, we’re not just talking Burton’s blood-soaked macabre attempt at a masterpiece — we’re also sharing our collective memories from our very own recent production of Sweeney Todd! Expect behind-the-scenes stories, backstage laughs, and maybe a few stories about trap doors and jettisons of blood

This week we discuss:

How Tim Burton’s adaptation balances musical theatre grandeur with cinematic horror — and where it falls short.

Johnny Depp’s take on the title role: tortured genius or just Burton doing Burton again?

Helena Bonham Carter’s Mrs. Lovett — delightful, deranged, and determined to make the worst pies in London.

How Alan Rickman and Timothy Spall manage to be both repulsive and magnetic - but can they sing? Who do we think could've done it better?

The use of colour, lighting, and sound — and why did the crew need so many garbage bags?

How Sweeney Todd manages to turn tragedy into operatic spectacle without losing its emotional sting.

We discuss at great length a couple of elements that one of us just couldn't overlook

We share our favourite moments (and biggest mishaps) from our own stage production — from what it's like to be reviewed ourselves to unexpected laughter in the wrong places and if you can imagine it - Ian flexing in the spotlight

What it’s like performing Sondheim’s music live — the challenge, the rhythm, and the glorious chaos.

Beadle Steve joins us to talk about his experience, his favourite scenes, and whether he’s still hearing “Ding Dong!” in his sleep... and what happened to the ensemble anyway?

And finally, whether Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is the Best Film Ever — or just the bloodiest musical we’ve ever loved.

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Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of Mistake by Luckydog. Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor, at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor.

Also, massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song. You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

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