Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is a 1979 musical thriller with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler. The musical is based on the 1973 play Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet Street by Christopher Bond. Set in 19th century England the musical tells the story of Benjamin Barker aka Sweeney Todd who returns to London after 15 years’ transportation on trumped-up charges.