Archive for Musicals.Net Musicals.Net
 


       Musicals.Net Forums -> Sweeney Todd
ActingDude17

Johanna's Surname

I just figured out Johanna's surname is the only one we don't discover of all the main characters.

Odd, perhaps? Think
Sweeney Hyde

Chances are it's still Barker unless Turpin really did adopt "her like his own" in which case it would be Turpin.
MusicalGal1194

I'm almost positive its Barker, although she probably would think it was Turpin. I believe that, upon auditioning for the show, the cast list shows the character name as "Johanna Barker".
ActingDude17

What does it say in the script?

Is there a character list or something?
Sweeney Hyde

Yes, however the script just says "Johanna".
ActingDude17

One thing to consider: Wouldn't Judge Turpin have legally changed it to Turpin? I mean, wouldn't Johanna ask why her and her "father's" last names are different?
What Is This Feeling?

ActingDude17 wrote:
One thing to consider: Wouldn't Judge Turpin have legally changed it to Turpin? I mean, wouldn't Johanna ask why her and her "father's" last names are different?


Why would she need to ask? Someone at her age and sex, didn't fill out any paper work. (In the time period) I believe it would be Turpin. Althought I believe i've seen it listed as both. There would be no use of Barker remaining her surnname. Plus, Johanna doesn't even know her last name is Barker. Why would Turpin tell her? Isn't the Barker family destroyed anyway? Her Mom is supposed to be dead. Her Dad is still thought to be in Australia. I don't know if she has any other uncles or aunts . It doesn't really matter. The Judge probably changed her name. He probably changed it , since he was a Judge, legally he could have easily found someone to do it. Just told the officials he found the girl on the street. I could just imagine him saying something like " this poor las was found deserted. I had to find the compassion in my heart to take her in." Or something like that.
ActingDude17

What I was saying was she would ask IF he didn't change it (which would be absolutely stupid on Turpin's part).

I'll make myself clearer next time. Very Happy
XxX-Daisy_Lovett-XxX

What Is This Feeling? wrote:
ActingDude17 wrote:
One thing to consider: Wouldn't Judge Turpin have legally changed it to Turpin? I mean, wouldn't Johanna ask why her and her "father's" last names are different?


Why would she need to ask? Someone at her age and sex, didn't fill out any paper work. (In the time period) I believe it would be Turpin. Althought I believe i've seen it listed as both. There would be no use of Barker remaining her surnname. Plus, Johanna doesn't even know her last name is Barker. Why would Turpin tell her? Isn't the Barker family destroyed anyway? Her Mom is supposed to be dead. Her Dad is still thought to be in Australia. I don't know if she has any other uncles or aunts . It doesn't really matter. The Judge probably changed her name. He probably changed it , since he was a Judge, legally he could have easily found someone to do it. Just told the officials he found the girl on the street. I could just imagine him saying something like " this poor las was found deserted. I had to find the compassion in my heart to take her in." Or something like that.


^ Good point. Well, if I remember correctly in Christopher Bond's version, or was it Prest's 'String of Pearls', well any who her last name was Oakley, not Barker. Or Turpin.
Sweeney Hyde

XxX-Daisy_Lovett-XxX wrote:
What Is This Feeling? wrote:
ActingDude17 wrote:
One thing to consider: Wouldn't Judge Turpin have legally changed it to Turpin? I mean, wouldn't Johanna ask why her and her "father's" last names are different?


Why would she need to ask? Someone at her age and sex, didn't fill out any paper work. (In the time period) I believe it would be Turpin. Althought I believe i've seen it listed as both. There would be no use of Barker remaining her surnname. Plus, Johanna doesn't even know her last name is Barker. Why would Turpin tell her? Isn't the Barker family destroyed anyway? Her Mom is supposed to be dead. Her Dad is still thought to be in Australia. I don't know if she has any other uncles or aunts . It doesn't really matter. The Judge probably changed her name. He probably changed it , since he was a Judge, legally he could have easily found someone to do it. Just told the officials he found the girl on the street. I could just imagine him saying something like " this poor las was found deserted. I had to find the compassion in my heart to take her in." Or something like that.


^ Good point. Well, if I remember correctly in Christopher Bond's version, or was it Prest's 'String of Pearls', well any who her last name was Oakley, not Barker. Or Turpin.

Yes, however, it's basically a completely different story. Johanna is not Todd's daughter in that version. Nor is there ANY Judge in that story...thus no Turpin. Her father is a different character intirely. As is her mother.
Vice

I've always written it as Barker.
what_the_heck013

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johanna_Barker
GinnyWeasley201

It is usually asummed that it is Barker. I think the Jugde did not offically adopt her, because he had the intent of marrying her when she was old enough. she was never really his daughter but his ward. although she does call the judge father in the play script.
ActingDude17

^ It makes sense Johanna calls him "father", even though he may not be her legal father.

However poorly, he's the one who's raised and lived with her all her life.
       Musicals.Net Forums -> Sweeney Todd
Page 1 of 1