Episodes
| Episode | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 20210314 | 20231209 (R4) | Rosalind Ayres directs a stellar cast in this masterly, rediscovered, horror-thriller. Joanne Whalley stars as Mrs Lovett and Martin Jarvis as barber Sweeney Todd with Rufus Sewell, Jonathan Cake, Julian Sands, Jack Cutmore-Scott, Darren Richardson and Ian Ogilvy. Based on the novel by Thomas Prest. It's 1785 in Fleet Street, during the reign of George III, with so many secrets and lies. What is the peculiar arrangement between Sweeney Todd and pie-shop owner, Mrs Lovett? What happened to the pearls? They were meant for lovely young Joanna. Is her sweetheart Mark lost at sea? What became of the messenger after entering Todd's shop? Who is the new cook in Mrs Lovett's bakehouse? Can loyal Lieutenant Jeffrey (Rufus Sewell) and investigator Sir Richard Blunt (Jonathan Cake) unravel the dark mystery? A grim humour here - if there are killings, where are the bodies? Cast: Mrs Lovett - Joanne Whalley Sweeney Todd - Martin Jarvis Colonel Jeffrey - Rufus Sewell Sir Richard Blunt - Jonathan Cake Mark - Jack Cutmore-Scott Tobias - Darren Richardson Joanna - Moira Quirk Arabella - Elizabeth Knowelden Mr Oakley - Julian Sands Major Bounce - Ian Ogilvy Mr Grant - Alan Shearman Morgan/Captain - Neil Dickson Thornhill/Mundel/Crotchet - Matthew Wolf Original music: A-Mnemonic Dramatised by Archie Scottney, based on the novel by Thomas Prest Director: Rosalind Ayres A Jarvis and Ayres production for BBC Radio 4 Joanne Whalley and Martin Jarvis lead a stellar cast in this masterly horror-thriller. What is Fleet Street barber Sweeney Todd's secret? Why do his customers keep disappearing? What's the link with Mrs Lovett's pie-shop? And a string of valuable pearls? |
| 02 | 20210321 | 20231216 (R4) | It's the reign of George III. What's going on at Sweeney Todd's in Fleet Street? Joanna disguises herself and enters the barber's employment as Charley'. Is her sweetheart Mark really lost at sea? A dark humour enhances outstanding performances from Joanne Whalley as Mrs Lovett and Martin Jarvis as Sweeney Todd. With Rufus Sewell, Jonathan Cake, Julian Sands, Moira Quirk, Jack Cutmore-Scott, Matthew Wolf and Ian Ogilvy. What will be discovered in the vaults beneath St Dunstan's? Investigator Richard Blunt and loyal Lieutenant Jeffreys aim to protect Joanna. Can Mrs Lovett extract herself from a fearful relationship with Todd? What is the true secret of the barber's shop? Betrayal, blackmail, murder? Is justice possible? Cast: Joanna disguises herself and enters the barber's employment as ‘Charley'. Is her sweetheart Mark really lost at sea? Mrs Lovett - Joanne Whalley Colonel Jeffrey - Rufus Sewell Sir Richard Blunt - Jonathan Cake Sweeney Todd - Martin Jarvis Mark - Jack Cutmore-Scott Joanna - Moira Quirk Arabella - Elizabeth Knowelden Crotchet/Mr Brown/Dr Murphy - Matthew Wolf Mr Wrankley - Julian Sands The Judge - Ian Ogilvy Morgan/Attorney - Neil Dickson Clerk/Sir Ernest - Darren Richardson Boatman/Counsel/Fisherman - Alan Shearman Other parts played by members of the company. Dramatised by Archie Scottney, based on the novel by Thomas Prest Director - Rosalind Ayres A Jarvis and Ayres production for BBC Radio 4 Rosalind Ayres directs an all-star cast in this rediscovered horror-thriller. Joanne Whalley and Martin Jarvis lead a stellar cast in this masterly horror-thriller. What's the mystery at Sweeney Todd's in Fleet Street? Joanna's suspicions lead her to dress up as a boy and enter the barber's employment. Is her sweetheart Mark still alive? |