Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

This particular work by Stephen Sondheim is probably his most ‘operatic’ in style and musically quite complex. Being very different to the majority of modern musicals, GOS saw the staging of it as a worthy challenge for them to take up. Action took place on imaginatively designed and solidly constructed sets with the stage crew making the required changes in an unobtrusive and efficient manner. The cast for this production was well chosen and appropriately costumed, with the principals delivering strong performances. Daniel Kingston (as Sweeney Todd) was very convincing as a man hiding a past and having to conceal much anger. Camryn Smith (as Mrs Lovett) relished showing entrepreneurial use of her culinary skills. James Clack (as Anthony Hope) was very well paired with Annabel Cartwright (as Johanna), the subject of his affection, and their voices blended beautifully. Heather Walker (as Tobias Ragg) displayed a wonderful mix of youthful exuberance and adolescent uncertainty in her characterisation. Jim Burrows (as Adolfo Pirelli) showed himself to be a really ostentatious rival to Sweeney. Suzanne Webb (as the Beggar Woman) played her part with much conviction. Roy Coleman (as Judge Turpin) and John Wood (the Beadle) were the biased and heartless law enforcers and David Pimm (as Jonas Fogg) was the despicable owner of the asylum in which Johanna was incarcerated; since he would readily sell the hair and teeth of the young inmates he thoroughly deserved his comeuppance. There were excellent contributions from those in supporting roles and it was most heartening to see so many young people significantly and successfully contributing to this production. Well done Kate Landy, Jade Goswell and Bryony Rose Parker on your performances. Jenny Walker, as Musical Director, used her extensive skills to ensure that the soloists and chorus were able to give of their best and that the band provided the complex musical accompaniments required. Tony Smith drew on his considerable expertise and experience to oversee the effective delivery of this ‘dark’ tale. Congratulations to all who were involved in this production, I think this was definitely a case of 'challenge accepted – mission accomplished'.

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