Is this too radical?
...
Mr C, nothing ever seems too radical hereabouts!
We have drops on our tandem (front) and cut-off upside down drops on the back.
No problems with comfort and leverage.
Do you sense a "but" coming?
BUT - you might need to factor in what you'd do about brakes and, especially, brake levers. Issa right PITA getting a good combination.
The fact that I'm trying to sell a pair of Dia Compe 287Vs here is totally irrelevant. Oh yes.
In fact, I wouldn't recommend them for a tandem. We've gone back to normal road levers and old-fashioned cantis.
EDIT: modified in view of Clarion's post below. Oh, and down tube levers too.