We are delighted to have received a five star review from Theatre Scotland. Read more below.
The late great Stephen Sondheim’s ‘Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street’ is a musical so rarely performed in Scotland and hasn’t been performed professionally in the UK for almost ten years. This week Blackout Productions bring a fresh and very exciting version of the musical to the Church Hill Theatre in Edinburgh. You will undoubtedly want to attend this dark, witty and Tony Award-winning tale of love, murder and revenge set against the backdrop of 19th century London.
This is an amateur production, and yet you completely forget that, with the incredible performance from this cast made up of Edinburgh locals.
Robert Moyes is devilishly dark as Sweeney Todd. Moyes’ portrayal brings a sound rationale to Sweeney’s bloody plot to avenge his late wife. Whilst darkness and horror surrounds Sweeney, there are moments where Moyes lifts the veil and allows the audience to see the man Sweeney once was before the tragedy that ensued. Even with these glimmers of light, the insanity, rage and blood thirst are truly in control, and Moyes doesn’t hold back in bringing a gloriously terrifying performance.
Jo Heinemeier’s Mrs. Lovett is exquisitely funny, nailing the comedic material in the text and musical numbers. Part of what makes this portrayal so effective is how understated it is, there is always the risk of hamming up Mrs. Lovett but Heinemeier approaches the character with naturalism and a sublime comical nuance. Jo has the audience captivated from the moment she steps onto the stage and delivers a sublime performance of ‘The Worst Pies In London’. This is a joyous performance that partnered with Moyes’ Sweeney, makes for an impeccable lead duo.
Sean Quinn as Anthony Hope and Gigi Bacon as Johanna bring us two lovers surrounded in turmoil and division. Anthony’s passion and longing for a life with Johanna is clear through Quinn’s portrayal. With this Gigi shows Johanna’s desperation not only for a life with Anthony but to be freed from the grips of Judge Turpin. Both performers deliver lovely portrayals and engage the audience in their character’s journey for love.
Edan Glennie delivers a truly remarkable performance as Tobias Ragg. Edan doesn’t miss a beat with the comedic timing when we initially meet Tobias. As the character’s journey continues, we see his love for Mrs. Lovett blossom especially in his stunning performance of ‘Not While I’m Around’. In the final moments of the musical, Edan’s portrayal of the Tobias’ transformation is haunting, leaving the audience speechless at the innocence of this young man gone. This is such a versatile and poignant portrayal from Edan.
James Dickson radiates sleaze, inner conflict and sheer villainy as Judge Turpin. The antagonist of this tale is a character that could so easily be overstated; however, Turpin is in great hands with James, who delivers a complex and engaging portrayal. A sense of foreboding sweeps the stage as soon as James makes his entrance as Turpin. Lined with a iniquitous, seedy and corrupt nature – Turpin’s appointment with the devious barber of Fleet Street is longed for by the audience, all thanks to James’ brilliant performance. Colin Cairncross supports James’ Turpin as The Beadle, bringing a humorous and at points devious supporting portrayal.
Leah Kincer-Christie is soul-stirring as The Beggar Woman. This character seems like a simple supporting role, but for those who know – it is much more than that. Throughout Leah’s performance she portrays the hardships, pain, trauma and desperation that is needed for this character to hit hard as the device Hugh Wheeler intended.
Mark Wilson is hilarious as Adolfo Pirelli, with such little stage time Mark gets laugh after laugh from the audience. Hitting the comic cues in the script with ease and bringing light into this dark production. Thaddeus Buttrey delivers an eerie Jonas Fogg, and throughout supplies his bass vocals, delivering a chilling atmosphere to some of the darker moments of the musical.
The ensemble of this production bring this Brechtian production to life, with visual feats of minimalist movement, stunningly haunting vocals and of course, depictions of poverty, hardship and death. The ensemble of this production are as follows; Alex Arnott, Ben Carroll, Callum Stott, Carole McGirr, Claire MacBride-Stewart, Connor Byrn, Eden Bright, Fauve Byrne, Fionn Cameron, Gabrielle Pavone, Janet Kirkwood, Kirsty Thomson, Louise Arbuckle and Paula McGiffen. To help add to the vocal grandeur of this production there is also a choir, featuring Anne Mackie, Gordon Roberton, Keith Hendrie, Mia Odeh and Vicki Robertson.
The late Stephen Sondheim’s music and lyrics for ‘Sweeney Todd’ are nothing short of a triumph, it is musical theatre storytelling at it’s best, this is one of the composers best pieces of work and this production does it justice and then some with Richard Lewis’ stunning musical direction. Hugh Wheeler’s rich book is utlised fully under Susie Dumbreck’s direction, (with assistant direction from Scott Anderson) creating one of the most artistic and ambitious amateur productions to play in Scotland this year.
With the stripped back Brechtian style, the minimalistic approach works beautifully for this musical. Dumbreck’s ideology of having the production laced with the artistic style of a Victorian London music hall is ingenious. The production hits all the points that Sondheim and Wheeler originally intended, with clear Gothic styling, romantic nuance and warm humour. This is a complexly staged production where the actors seem comfortable, and all are performing at their best, this is no doubt due to Dumbreck’s clear vision and ambition. Holly Smith’s costume and set design is simply stunning, the production is a visual feast where even just the characters chill you to the bone.
Blackout Productions’ ‘Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street’ is a staggering production, featuring a talented cast of locals and an incredible artistic vision that poignantly brings the musical to life on stage. This is a production not to be missed, beg, borrow or steal to attend the tale of Sweeney Todd.
Get your tickets online now: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/blackout-productions
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