Sweeney Todd

I couldn't help thinking, while watching this amazing production, that somewhere in the musical heaven, Stephen Sondheim was looking down with approval and happiness at the Carriageworks stage, for here was all he ever wished for - his work given such clarity and resonance. I, for one, am a Sondheim devotee - I have seen this musical many times (and in many genres) and couldn't wait to see this production.

The Artistic Director, Anita Adams, has once again entertained audiences this week with a new vision of one of Sondheim's most iconic musicals. Set in an historic asylum, this was indeed an ensemble piece of theatre. It began with the inmates drawing us into a helter-skelter of white-robed terrifying images, with a set comprising of hospital beds, graffiti and general bedlam!

The story was so well told - Sweeney, played brilliantly by Jason Weightman, was a towering presence- his diction was perfect and musically, absolutely overwhelming. It was quite clear from the outset that he would avenge his wrongful imprisonment in Botany Bay, the apparent death of his wife and the knowledge that his daughter, Johanna, (played strongly by Anna Halliday) had been made a ward of the evil Judge Turpin (played to perfection by Richard Pascoe). Helping Sweeney in all of this was the indomitable Mrs Lovett (played toweringly by Jasmine Caine) - the scenes between her and Sweeney were breath-taking. A side story of Sweeney's shipmate, Anthony (also played strongly by Kristian Cleworth) who falls in love with Johanna, added another dimension to the story, as did the Beggar Woman (Emma Kennedy) and The Beadle (Matthew Oglesby). Tobias (played by an enthusiastic Danny Kelly), brought a little light relief to the piece, as did Pirelli (Matt Stirk).

I have such admiration for Anita's production touches, which brought this production up to professional standards - instead of gallons of blood in the throat-cutting scenes, she used the ensemble members to throw up strips of red cloth - we all began to dread the apperance of these, as it meant another killing was on the way!  Mrs Lovett's pies did look rather tempting, until you realised what 'meat' they contained! I particularly loved the paper birds to denote the imprisonment of Johanna by the judge. Anita changed the usual trick barbers chair, which shot the victims into the cellar, by dragging them into the fireplace, where they slumped out into the grate below, sometimes only half-dead - wonderfully gruesome!!

Musically, this had got to be one of the best interpretations of Sweeney that I have listened to - Adam Boniface, as Musical Director, produced a wonderful sound that never drowned out the singers and yet gave that eerily discordant sound, so right for the action - I was so impressed with his orchestra of mainly young musicians - what a credit to musical theatre they all are!

This show is truly an ensemble piece - all the characters played so well and consistently kept up their characters all the way through - twitching, frightened, moving around the set confidently - this was so obviously well-rehearsed. The energy coming from the stage was palpable.

Backstage credits go to Matt Stirk (Set Design, with Anita Adams), Stage Manager (Paul Myers), Backstage (Simon Futers & Paul Myers), Assistant Musical Director (Tom Mitchell), Lighting Design (Chris Newsome), Sound Design (Aly Howe), Properties (Judith Smith & Matt Stirk), Costume & Makeup (Judith Huntley, Pat Kearney, Emma Stirk & Joy Suthern), Publicity (Emma Kennedy, Jasmine Caine & Society Members), Graphics (Matt Stirk & Matthew Oglesby), Photography (Matthew Oglesby), Programme (Matthew Oglesby, Becky Barwick & Katie Lister) - last, but not least, Front-of-House Manager (Richard Naylor). I mention these hard-working souls, without whom,the show could not go on!

Once again, my heartfelt congratulations go to not only  the superb talent of Anita Adams, but also to the entire company of Leeds G&S - your hard work has paid off in spades this week at the Carriageworks - this production of Sweeney Todd will remain in my heart for a very long time.

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