Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Summary

Sacha Baron Cohenearned hisSweeney Toddrole by giving Tim Burton a jaw - dropping audition . Sweeney Todd : The Demon Barber of Fleet Streetis a engrossing narrative of revenge , sexual love , and calamity , countersink against the gloomy background of Victorian London . Burton ’s 2007 cinematic adaptation of Stephen Sondheim ’s melodic recount the story of Benjamin Barker , alias Sweeney Todd , who return to London to take vengeance on the corrupt evaluator who exile him and ruined his living . Amidstthe Gothic architecture and stylized Burtonesque cosmos , a cast of complex characters adds depth to the tale , go revulsion with unexpected moments of dark humor .

Baron Cohen emerge as a remarkable presence , portrayingtheSweeney Toddcharacter Signor Adolfo Pirelli , a splashy rival barber with a mystery . Baron Cohen , known for his chameleon - like power to completely immerse himself in a diverseness of character , from the outrageous Borat to the political firebrand Ali G , showcases a unlike aspect of his talent inSweeney Todd . His execution as Pirelli is crucial , adding a layer of theatricality and humor that contrasts with the overarching darkness . This role also demanded outspoken skill sacrifice the melodic nature of the film , and Baron Cohen take in the character by yarn-dye Tim Burton .

Danny Elfman and Tim Burton have been working together for well-nigh 40 age , with Elfman scoring each of his feature of speech films except for three .

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Sacha Baron Cohen Sang All Of Fiddler On The Roof In His Sweeney Todd Audition

Burton Wished He Had Recorded The Audition

Sacha Baron Cohen ’s character inSweeney Toddis Signor Adolfo Pirelli , who has an pretentious personality and dubious genuineness as a barber , which sets the stage for one of the film ’s most memorable second — a shaving contest that showcases Todd ’s unmatched skill with a razor . This role , mix liquid body substance with an underlying menace , required an doer capable of bear both the vocal execution the melodic data format demands and the deepness to pilot its darker undercurrent . That ’s where Baron Cohen came in , as he wowed Burton in his audition by performing the whole ofFiddler on the Roof .

Baron Cohen ’s sense of hearing forBeetlejuice2director Tim Burtonwas nothing short of extraordinary . Choosing to perform the totality ofFiddler on the Roofinstead of a piece from theSweeney Toddscorewas a bold move . This operation not only display his outspoken talent and chain but also underscored his deep sympathy of theatrical storytelling . Baron Cohen ’s decision to present himself throughFiddler on the Roof , a musical theater that explores themes of custom , change , and resilience , cleverly mirrored Pirelli ’s flamboyant yet nuanced grapheme . Tim Burton recounted the auditory modality , note ( viaFemale ):

" He add up in to audition and he land in the sexual conquest of Fiddler on the Roof and basically did all of Fiddler on the Roof . He was keen , I admired him because he could have gone off and done lots of dissimilar stuff , but he pick out to do this and it was heavy that he did it … I bid we had a tv camera , because he literally went through the whole grudge of Fiddler on the Roof . "

Blended image of Sacha Baron Cohen in Les Miserables and Sweeney Todd

Custom Image by Stephen Barker

The audition was impressive for several cause . Firstly , it showcased Baron Cohen ’s ability to engage with a complex grudge , highlighting his outspoken proficiency and his capability for emotional saying through vocal . Secondly , by choosingFiddler on the Roof , BaronCohen subtly align himself with the theatrical and story profundity ofSweeney Todd , signaling his sympathy of the film ’s in darkness comic and tragical elements . His initiative and boldness in this choice probably resonated with Burton , who is get it on for his appreciation of unique and creative talents .

Baron Cohen ’s glide path to the auditory sense also demonstrated his understanding of the importance of character work in musical theater . By embodying the entire essence ofFiddler on the Roof , he showcased both his ambit as a performing artist and his power to deeply immerse himself in a persona ’s world . This trait is essential for a film likeSweeney Todd , where each case contributes to the intricate tapestry of the story . Baron Cohen ’s auditory sense , therefore , was not just a display of his melodic natural endowment but a testament to his aesthetic intelligence operation and versatility .

From Dark Shadows to Alice in Wonderland , which are the effective ( and bad ) of Helena Bonham Carter and Johnny Depp ’s seven screen collaborations ?

Tim burton sweeney todd ed wood johnny depp bill murray

Tim Burton’s Sweeney Todd is a musical horror movie based on the stage play of the same name. Johnny Depp stars as the titular barber, who teams up with baker Nellie Lovett (Helena Bonham Carter) to seek revenge against those who wronged him. The cast also includes Alan Rickman, Timothy Spall, and Sacha Baron Cohen.

Baron Cohen Has Always Loved Musicals

The Performer Acted In My Fair Lady & Fiddler On The Roof In College

Sacha Baron Cohen’spassion for melodious dramaturgy trace back to his university days whenhe was actively involved in stage productions(viaDeadline ) . His performances inFiddler on the Roofas Tevye andMy Fair Ladyas Alfred Doolittle at the University of Cambridge are peculiarly noteworthy . These early roles not only hone his skill in musical dramatic art but also stir up a lifelong heat for this genre . Baron Cohen ’s delineation of Tevye , a part demanding a stiff vocal operation and the ability to bring deep aroused nuance , was a harbinger to his various career in both drollery and play .

In an interview with theNew York Times , Baron Cohen verbalise his warmness for musical , describing them as his " embarrassing mania . “This view speaks to the depth of his connection to musical theater , a musical style that combine storytelling , music , and operation in a way that come across with him profoundly . His involvement in musicals , both on degree and in film , reflects a real making love for the art class and an eagerness to research its possibilities . This skill can even be seen in his salacious comedies likeBorat . Baron Cohen stated :

" I love doing musical . Musicals are my embarrassing warmth ; they give me joy . "

Helena Bonham Carter as Nellie Lovett and Johnny Depp as Sweeney Todd sitting at the beach in Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

From Sweeney Todd to Phantom of the Paradise to The Rocky Horror Picture Show , not every melodious is as lighthearted as Cats ; some are dark and grisly .

Baron Cohen Also Sung Fiddler For His Les Misérables Audition

Director Tom Hooper Sprung A Surprise Audition On Baron Cohen So He Couldn’t Prepare

Sweeney Toddisn’t the only melodic movie adaptation Sacha Baron Cohen has star in , as he was also part of 2012’sLes Misérablescast . However , once again , his tryout was sinful , where he also sing " If I Were a Rich Man . “His decision to let the cat out of the bag fromFiddler on the Rooffor both Tim Burton and Tom Hooper showcases a strategical feeler to auditions , leveraging a patch that not only demonstrates his outspoken power but also his capacitance for emotional and narrative astuteness .

Baron Cohen also revealed thatLesMisérablesdirector Tom Hooperturned up at his firm unannounced with a piano player and sprung an auditory sense on him . The actor recall ( viaDeadline ):

" He in reality kind of sprang the tryout on me ; he came to my house and there ’s a guy wire with him . I asked “ Who ’s this guy ? ” And he essentially was a pianist and then the galvanising piano go far and then Tom made me babble “ Master of the House ” for him which I recall terribly unfair because I had n’t set for it at all and had n’t really , you know , sung it since the geezerhood of 15 when I first insure it in the West destruction . It was the humiliation of having to sing a bunch of songs for Tom Hooper in my kitchen . "

Brüno (Sacha Baron Cohen) holding a microphone in Bruno

The surprise sense of hearing at Baron Cohen ’s sign of the zodiac further spotlight the actor ’s adaptability and facility to perform under unconventional circumstances . Being ask to perform " Master of the House " without anterior readiness would have been a daunting challenge for many . However , Baron Cohen ’s willingness to dive into the performance prove his commitment to his craft and his ability to redeem under pressure level , though it ’s scarcely surprising thattheBoratactorwas so easily ready to put himself out there .

Baron Cohen being cast inLes Misérablesis fairly poetic , asthe role player recalled the unenviable consequence when he lined up alfresco in the rain for hours only to humiliate himself . In the audience withDeadline , Baron Cohen explained :

" I only have a history with Les Mis in that when I came out of university at old age 20 or 21 , I went through an open sense of hearing for the chorus in Les Mis ; not even one of the named role . And there were about 300 the great unwashed who were lining up outside the Palace Theater in the West closing and I choke the first audition which was singing and then they had a chemical group tryout for dancing and they learn a fiddling routine . I had no idea how to learn choreographed steps and so I just decided to freestyle and came to the actual audition . There were seven citizenry doing perfectly choreographed steps and then me just doing some very unfit breakdancing in the quoin and I did not get the use . So , there is a chronicle . "

Split image of Tim Curry in The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Johnny Depp in Sweeney Todd

This audition instance his early finding and the black eye he faced . Despite not being a trained dancer , Baron Cohen ’s endeavour to stand out through freestyle movement during a dancing audition highlights his originative approach and willingness to take risks . This persistence and willingness to employ with the musical theater earth , even in the face of rejection , address volumes about Baron Cohen ’s character as an artist . While not without setbacks , Sacha Baron Cohen’sjourney from performing in university productions to star in major melodic films likeSweeney Toddunderscores his dedication to the craft and his love for the genre .

Sources : Female , Deadline , New York Times

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Cast

Tim Burton ’s Sweeney Todd is a musical repugnance pic based on the stage caper of the same name . Johnny Depp stars as the titular Samuel Barber , who teams up with baker Nellie Lovett ( Helena Bonham Carter ) to seek retaliation against those who wrong him . The shape also includes Alan Rickman , Timothy Spall , and Sacha Baron Cohen .

Thenardier (Sacha Baron Cohen) holding a young girl in Les Miserable

Headshot Of Johnny Depp In The UK premiere of Jeanne Du Barry

Headshot Of Helena Bonham Carter In The 2024 BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises

Sweeney Todd