Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

This production is one that the production team and all the members on stage should be extremely proud. It was slick with a good set and costumes, effective lighting, sound and musically very confident. The very atmospheric opening set the tone for the whole evening.

Richard Poynton as Sweeney Todd was suitably menacing and brooding with his obsession to get his revenge on Judge Turpin whilst Steph Coleman, as Mrs Lovett, was a mixture of mischievousness and wickedness in her manipulation of Todd. They worked very well together, singing and acting with conviction. They were supported by some excellent characterisations from Simon Docherty (Judge Turpin), Nick Hardy (The Beadle), Katy Ball (Beggar Woman), Craig Smith (Adolfo Pirelli), Andrew Bird (Jonas Fogg) and Kathy Coombes (Young Lucy).

All of the above roles were played by talented and, in most cases, experienced members of the society. I must, therefore, compliment three young people making their debuts in major parts. Ned Hughes was the chirpy assistant to Pirelli who was given a home by Mrs Lovett when Pirelli ‘mysteriously’ disappeared. He took us on the journey from being a little boy lost to one suspicious of Todd with ease. The other two were Megan Hardy (Johanna) and Christopher Room (Anthony Hope). They both showed a maturity beyond their years with their acting skills and powerful singing.

The musical is typical Stephen Sondheim with its complex rhythms and very wordy songs but the principals, ensembles, chorus and orchestra made them seem effortless although on occasions the orchestra overpowered the singing making words difficult to hear.

It was good to see the large stage at the magnificent Grand Theatre used so effectively by Walsall Operatic Society. Well done to everyone involved!

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