Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is a 1979
musical thriller with music and lyrics by
Stephen Sondheim and book by
Hugh Wheeler. The musical is based on the 1973 play
Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street by
Christopher Bond. Set in 19th century
England, the musical details the return of
barber Sweeney Todd to London after 15 years of
exile, in order to take revenge on the corrupt judge who banished him, by conspiring with a local baker,
Mrs. Lovett, who is in desperate need of fresh meat for her pies.