Overview
No one knows for sure if Sweeney Todd actually existed, but this story, taken from a serialization in a Penny Dreadful from 1846, was the first official record of the terrible crimes committed by the Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
Gory? No! What’s particularly good about this adaptation is that none of the horror is to be seen — making this a truly wonderful version of a brilliant book. This story first appeared in serialized form in 1800s London and gripped the nation. Although there is no explicit record of these events taking place, there is overwhelming anecdotal evidence that Todd existed and that he was the world’s worst mass-murderer. A gruesome tale, portrayed with a certain Victorian “twee-ness” that borders on the comical. This edition presents the entire story with simplified US English, ideal for ELL students, reluctant readers, or for students who want a quick understanding of the play before tackling the full text. Artwork and page numbers are identical to the Original Text edition, enabling differentiation in the classroom.