Sweeney Todd

Upon first entering the foyer at The Point theatre, I was immediately aware that it was very full of people waiting to get their seats. "a brilliant sight" I thought as i made my way to the auditorium.  I was greeted by a dimly lit set, the dry ice already billowing and really adding to the feel of the auditorium.  I took my seat in the fullest of houses, the lights dimmed and we were met by the sound of an eerie pipe organ which transported us into the gloom of the backstreets of Victorian London.  The set, simple in design with Mrs Lovett's Pie shop below what was to become Sweeney Todd's Barbers.  The set was enhanced by the slick use and movement of props by the cast.  This meant that any blackout was kept to a minimum.  The chorus entered and were on point and on time from the start, vocally and physically - a testament to the hard work and vision that David Humphries (direction) and Gem Turnley (and her fabulous nine piece orchestra) had put into this production (and rehearsal period).

The costumes were superb and we were in no doubt believing where we were being taken to. The lighting really added to the mood, as so often can be the case, it can kill or enhance a show. Here it raised the feeling to a new level. The principals’ performances - what high quality! Dan Ferrett's Judge Turpin and Dave Smith’s Beadle suitably sinister and certainly brought their menace to the action very well indeed. They were ably backed up by Rebecca Woodhead as Joanna and Antony Hope as the love-stricken sailor bringing their "innocence" to the proceedings. The principals were brilliantly backed up by the chorus. The two main protagonists were of course Sweeney Todd himself and Mrs Lovett, the owner of the Pie Shop.  Sweeney, played by Liam Baker brought a brooding wronged individual looking for revenge in the most gruesome way.  Completely in control of his performance his diction was clear and concise, both sung and spoken.  Mrs Lovett's performance by Katy Watt was a thing of real confidence and power with fantastic timing throughout with a deeply black, sense of humour - gain the diction was perfect.  The combination of a great chorus, fantastic lighting and costumes, simple yet effective set, and the extraordinary performances from the lead principals made this a show of immense quality and left you feeling that you had been to a professional show. Bravo Southampton Musical Society a real triumph. 

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