Sweeney Todd the Demon of Barber Street

Based on the book by Hugh Wheeler, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street has its own very particular challenges to bring it successfully to the stage.

Five Towns Theatre continue their seemingly relentless desire to achieve the very best of performances from their cast. It seems no matter what the show, they push the envelope to produce some of the best results that local amateur theatre can achieve.

The remorselessly driven Sweeney Todd, Oliver Bennett, had a real darkness to him, I enjoyed his portrayal very much, some of the quieter vocals didn't quite cut through the backing earlier on where we were sat in the auditorium but his full voice certainly did he was spot on.

Abby Evans as Mrs Lovett, an absolute peach of a role for her, very well observed characterisations, manipulative, conniving, charming, comic, duplicitous. Excellent.

From the tortured Dani Drakeley as the Beggar Woman, in some ways as equally as lost as Sweeney, a fragile tortured mind, who knows what debasement she endured in her past to reach her lowly position in life, her outbursts and character lucidity switches we really very good.

Keiran Picken as trusting besotted Anthony Hope, played well against antagonistic Jude Leath-Yates as the slimy Beadle, both well cast.

Callum James as Tobias Ragg featured well in some of the memorable scenes, I particularly liked his crowd surf in Act1, again very watchable performance indeed. James Hart as Adolofo Pirelli had a chancer's menace to him. Likewise with Christian Stewart as Jonas Fogg, both enjoying being big fish in their respective ponds until dealings with Sweeney's revenge took there toll.

I'm very glad to see Producers/Directors Keith Ragdale and Edward Costello heard my pleas from their last production the excellent Phantom of the Opera and gave us more opportunities to see Ben Birkett and Molly Joynson on stage, here as Judge Turpin and as Johanna. Consummate, passionate performances from both performers, superb strong voices, carrying the gravitas and helplessness of each role to a tee.

Straight from the opening number the cast gave us a crowded London, it felt right. They were all very well rehearsed, they hit their spots, never looked out of place or cluttered in any way. This is a big cast, around sixty on the Reps stage, a very big hand to all of them, they stayed in character, whatever it was, sang the amazing harmonies with an easy conviction and ability, borne of being well rehearsed. All involved grew stronger and stronger as the show progressed. The Fogg's Asylum scene in particular was outstanding - very, very impressive indeed.

Music, as if Keith wasn't busy enough he also Musically Directed the show, the musicianship was absolutely sublime. Sound and lighting, scenery, every aspect had been squeezed to the maximum. Attention to detail was only slightly let down to me by some of the footwear, a minor point but a distraction, although I am being extremely picky, as I am sure you would wish me to be.

Once again Five Towns has delivered a top-notch production, showing a committed shared work ethic from everyone involved both on and off the stage.

 

 

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