Whether we need that extra layer of "industrial capitalism is built upon canabalism" is up for debate, but it was central to Prince's story.
Yes, that was definitely what was in the original production. But it didn't feel didactic because much of the way the idea was developed was through production design. And as I remember it there was a kind of Rube Goldberg like slit-throat delivery-system-to-the kitchen that Sweeney had rigged. But that may have been in the original Penny Dreadful/Grande Guignol source material. Even if it was, it was a brilliant layer to the original production because in an instant it was chilling, historical resonant and fun. |
