Sweeney Todd

First of all I want to say what an awesome sight it was on entering the auditorium at Ramsgate’s Granville Theatre on Friday, 25th April 2025. The large auditorium was teeming with its mainly ‘young’ audience. It was wonderful to see that community theatre can attract and, as it turned out, thoroughly entertain and entrance their future patrons so completely. 

So to whom do we owe the pleasure? Clearly Zahra Tarjomaini – Producer and Creative Director must shoulder much of that praise. Her experience and imagination was clearly evident, as was her leadership of the wonderful cast assembled on stage, and those backstage who make the magic happen. A cleverly designed set accommodated the needs of the story very well. A very solid set looked well able to manage the rigors of the action – stairs, chute, blood – dispatch! Parisa Tarjomani – Producer, Director, Choreogapher and Lighting design should be really pleased with the results of her labours. The smart, effective and a sure-footed cast did you proud. The programme notes that the company were lucky that she went beyond what anyone thought was possible – and my goodness they were indeed well served. Working with Charlie George – Sound & Lights Technician & Operator – was clearly a gift. Inventive, timely and highly significant to the action – the lighting was super.  (Just a very little note that the backlighting on stage far left should have been off when no cast was there to be outlined. Occasionally it was seriously uncomfortable trying to watch the action with a bright spot overriding the action.) 

Well – my goodness!  Victoria Hall – Musical Director – your cast’s musical capabilities were exceptional. Professional, sharp (in the best possible way) and thoroughly entertaining. Clearly everyone must have had their nose to the grind stone – and under your skilled direction they were exceptional, confident and looked to be thoroughly schooled and honed to perfection. Fabulous! 

And now to the cast - Shannon Taiwo – as Sweeney Todd – was a mountain of a man. His stage presence emitted confidence. There was surety and purpose in every move, word, gesture…. An absolute treat to watch and hear that wonderful voice. A truly captivating performance. Molly Mallon – Mrs Lovett – well ‘Mrs’, what a treat you were you naughty woman! A lovely vocalist, and your acting didn’t look like acting - smart, believable, calculating – the sort of woman who survived on her wits….. and no one would guess what was going on in that devious mind. I’m glad I’ve always said no to meat pies! Bradley Davis - Judge Turpin – an excellently sinister ‘villain’! Without exception every song - was delivered with confidence and skill – hearing Sondeim's wonderful music so beautifully delivered was an absoulute joy. One particular personal favourite was ‘Joanna’ bought to life by Brendan Roberts – as Anthony Hope; Mary Peskett – Joanna’s Green Finch and Linnet bird. Other parts were played equally well, these being  Ben Stroud -The Beadle, Liam Ferrier-Pirelli, Kayleigh Stevens Keatley as Beggar Women a difficult part indeed, but this lady carried it off well. Now what a super young actor is Sidney Fawcett- Tobias Ragg. He was in good control over the part, keep this going young man. I would love to write about everyone individually – but for those I haven’t mentioned  the Company – be assured that it was clear that everyone of you gave your best in this outstanding production.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.