Todd

Having been warmly welcomed by the Front of House Team headed by Paul Clasby, I was shown to my seat but not before I had the chance to explore the mixed media installations, giving a tantalising preview of the night’s ensuing bloody gore and horrors! I wondered how this was going to work in such a small space, would it be like other versions of Sweeny Todd I had seen in the past or was I to be enthralled by a new adaptation of a well-known tale?

With the stage minimally set it was left to the very accomplished actors to fill the space with atmospheres of tension, danger and murky wrongdoings, which they executed with such convincing presence it was as if characters from a Georgian London had entered a portal to this time and place. The costumes were convincingly accurate and helped in making the characters appear larger than life, powerful and menacing. At this point I must acknowledge the lighting and sound design (applause to Andrew Impey and Paul Impey) which was absolutely sublime, casting ‘Hitchcockian’ looming shadows, pushing home feelings of doom and despair, a portent of murder most foul to come, as unwitting customers were dispatched from this world with such deft precision represented by the rush and flurry of red spotlights and the continuing glow of a drenching bloody hue.

During scene changes we were treated to a musical interlude to keep us firmly in those times from which we could not escape. Folk songs and shanties sung with the Southsea Community Choir were an inspired addition and kept the story flowing with seamless transitions from scene to scene. I particularly admired the suggestion of other places and spaces within the story’s location such as a well-placed desk and chair just off stage left or the evening party at Judge Baxter’s Chambers where a group of guests were chatting and dancing in another part of that same room - incorporating the audience space,  whilst intrigue and cunning developed on the main stage between characters. 

I was very impressed with the professional quality of the acting only realising later that some of the cast are seasoned and professional actors. I was even more impressed by the acting skills of those who have recently joined the group and that of the supporting cast. A special mention to Oliver Thorne who played the traditionally stuffy butler, lurking  silently in the background, ever present, saying nothing but observing all that transpired, toward the end as the story came to a crescendo! I was intrigued as to what he was up to! Oliver played his character with a subtlety that belies his stature.  Jo Webb’s portrayal of Mrs. Lovett, a shrewd manipulative woman, as sharp as her features and as unforgiving as her corset. What a very skilled character actor the group has in Jo! Elliot Sergejew made his debut in acting with his portrayal of Tate and he made it look as though he was born to be on the stage. Elliot is a natural and will be a huge asset to the group in the future as did Josh Hill who gave a great rendition of an innocent caught up in the cruelties of the time. Sophie gave a remarkable performance as the infatuated Molly as did others with their characters in the cast. 

Danny McCrohon made Todd his own with his performance. Suitably attired he cut a very menacing glowering figure who swung between feigned stability and dangerous instability with frightening ease. The psychological and emotional turmoil and torment visibly devoured him, and he was terrifying at times. Fantastically played, Sir, and well done.

Judge Baxter played by Patric Howe could have stepped out of the pages of Hard Times. Baxter was convincing and frightening in his manner, unforgiving and dangerous. The Judge was also corrupt and self-serving, weaving schemes for his own benefit and a symptom of his own latent bitterness and resentment. The lead characters were all played with such erudite expertise it was difficult to remember that this was an amateur performance, perhaps they were a very positive influence on the less experienced as everyone brought their ‘A’ game as a result. This play is extremely wordy but I did not notice any hesitancy in line delivery or lack of certainty in their performance.  This was a very well explored, rehearsed and put together cast indeed!

All involved, cast and crew, should congratulate themselves on staging such a magnificent production.

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