***** 5 Stars
“a true debauched psychological thriller”
The most beloved production from the career of the late and legendary Stephen Sondheim has to be Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet Street with music and lyrics by Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler and based on the 1970 play version of the story by Christopher Bond.
The musical would debut at the Uris Theatre on New York’s Broadway in 1975 before transferring to London’s West end the following year in 1980. Sweeney Todd originated as story called “The string of pearls” in the penny dreadful serial magazine. Set in 1785 telling the story of Sweeney Todd (an utterly sublime performance from Robert Moyes) who returns from Australia having been transported there as a convict thanks to the evil Judge Turpin (James Dickson in a thrillingly nuanced performance). Todd seeks vengeance for all he has lost and falling under the mistress of manipulation Mrs Lovett (a beguiling performance from Jo Heinemeier) charms, what unfolds is a tale of murder and revenge a true debauched psychological thriller that grips the audience from curtain up until it falls.
Sweeney Todd is a show of such complexity its somewhat rarely performed both professionally and in am dram with a mostly sung through score running at nearly three hours it’s a mega challenge for any company. However, Blackout productions have delivered a breath-taking production that’s worthy of the west end and any theatre in the country.
Director Susie Drumbreck has delivered a masterclass in working to the strengths of the company setting the show in an abandoned music hall is genius adding a show within a show element that her talented cast deliver from the moment the house open until the last audience members leave.
Performances across the board are sublime all the leads excel with Moyes turning in a dark and brooding Todd but also gives the character a rare sense of understanding. Heinemeier’s is a younger Mrs Lovett, but it works especially as she dials up the comedy element within the writing and brings the much need light to a script soaked in darkness. While the entire cast shine special mention must go to Mark Wilson who delivers a “Adolfo Pirelli” that’s everything a more. His ability to handle the comedy of the character then nasty truth of who Pirelli really is stunning and capturing to watch in equal measure. A shining highlight of the show is Edan Glennie in the role of “Tobias Ragg”. Ragg has the most emotional journey in the production and getting across that loss of innocence and the deep routed need to be wanted is tricky task for any actor, but Glennie delivers in spades with a performance rich in emotion and with a honey soaked vocal to accompany it.
Production wise the show is a triumph Holly Smith’s Set and costume design is excellent evoking Edwardian London wonderfully with in the construct of the faded glory of the music hall. This is boosted by Blue Parrot’s wonderfully executed sound and lighting design.
The unmitigated test of any Sondheim show is the music and vocal performances, and Musical Director Richard Lewis has delivered nothing less than a west end worthy effort. Every lyric is delivered with passion and precession and every note is delivered faultlessly by the 10 strong Fleet Steet Players Orchestra.
Blackout Productions Sweeney Todd is one which will live long in the memory of all those who see it and is everything you can want from a night of musical theatre and so much more. So, what are you waiting for kill for a ticket and attend the tale of Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
Blackout Productions present, Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Church Hill Theatre, Edinburgh Runs until Saturday 12th October Info and tickets go to: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/blackout-productions
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