Ladies & Gentlemen...I have to state that Mrs Lovetts pies are made from human flesh! This shocking announcement provides the stunning denouement to a narrative first published over a period of four months in the winter of 1846-7. The revelation marked only the beginning however of the notorious career of Sweeney Todd soon known to legend as the Demon Barber of Londons Fleet Street. The story of Todds entrepreneurial partnership with neighbouring pie-maker Margery Lovett
- at once inconceivably unpalatable & undeniably compelling
- has subsequently provided the substance for a seemingly endless series of successful dramatic adaptations popular songs & ballads novellas radio plays graphic novels ballets films & musicals. Both gleeful & ghoulish the original tale of Sweeney Todd first published under the title The String of Pearls is an early classic of British horror writing. It combines the story of Todds grisly method of robbing & dispatching his victims with a romantic sub-plot involving deception disguise & detective work set against the backdrop of Londons dark & unsavoury streets. This edition provides an authoritative text of the first version of the story ever to be published as well as a lively introduction to its history & reputation.