Sweeney Todd

Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd is a well known show but that doesn’t mean it is an easy production to stage. There are challenges for the set and also the performers have a lot of words to fit in. The Masqueraders rose to those challenges admirably.

The set was constructed from scratch in a matter of days by members of the company. The pie shop/barbers shop took centre stage with an ingenious opening front to the barbers. With practical windows in this and the judges house allowing for some lovely moments glimpsed through the windows.

The chorus, whenever they were on were enthusiastic in the crowd scenes, especially when released from the asylum, the characterisation was superb. They also mastered the tricky songs admirably. Neil Dykes played the murderous Sweeney with a calm, determined and demented air, you wouldn’t want to meet him on a dark night. Mrs Lovett (Kay Sanders) was a perfect foil to this, her light and breezy yet devious nature portrayed perfectly. The duo “A little Priest” was an absolute delight, despite its nature, and a clever use of the company added to the number. Another lovely moment was “Not while I’m around” with Tobias Ragg (Andrew Seagrave) and Lovett. Seagrave’s performance was multi-faceted as the character got more involved in the murderous scheme. Other notable performances came from Jane Udall’s Beggar Woman and Eleanor Chapman as Johanna.

While not a toe tapping cheery show the Masqueraders produced an enjoyable performance.

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