It's finally here! The Sweeney Todd movie opens today. We were so excited yesterday, though, that we took to the city streets with the fabulous free Sweeney Todd Soundmap in our ears.
This movie themed walk starts at Temple tube and wends its way through the back alleys cutting across Fleet Street and leading you, of course, to the site of Mrs Lovett's pie shop, Sweeney's barbaric barber shop, St Dunstan's in the West, Dr Johnson's house, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese and St Bride's - places you should definitely stop a while and explore if you can. We bet you'll find yourself walking in time to the creepily echoing footsteps that lead you from place to place with the honey-voiced narrator.
The audio splices history, folklore and movie clips, piecing together the legend of the Demon Barber and the story of the movie. There's a bit of luvverly Johnny Depp singing cockney and a classic observation from Tim Burton that Depp was "good with scissors" and therefore perfect for the role.
One thing to think consider is when you take to the streets: 4pm on a working day afternoon was not the best time as we found ourselves loitering in a bookshop listening to the commentary, rather than brazening out the bustle of Fleet Street for a fairly long stop at St Dunstans. A quiet weekend is a much more sensible prospect and we suspect the deserted city at dusk might be aptly atmospheric. While these walks are perfect for doing alone, you might feel less conspicuous sharing it with a friend.
This is a really well produced, fun and fascinating audiowalk that's a great appetiser for the film and probably a great add on to it too.
Download the Sweeney Todd Soundmap now. If you like it, visit Soundmap for more London audio walks.
