Sweeney Todd. To May 22nd.
Derby
SWEENEY TODD
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Book by Hugh Wheeler
Derby Playhouse To 22 May 2004
Mon-Sat 7.30pm Mat 15 May 2.30pm
Audio-described 15 May 2.30pm 19 May
BSL Signed 15 May 2.30pm 20 May
Education day 19 May 10am
Runs: 3hr One interval.
TICKETS: 01332 363275
www.derbyplayhouse.co.uk
Review: Jan Pick 11 May
Gruesomely good.Ugh! Wow! Puts you off pies for life! A brilliantly macabre feast is served up by the company at Derby Playhouse for those who enjoy their theatre dark and melodramatic. The actors put their all in to this grimly witty musical and it is a considerable all.
Lyndon Terracini plays a charismatic Sweeney Todd, the famous barber of Fleet Street whose customers go to their maker with the closest shave of their lives and Jenny Galloway matches him as the comfortably-shaped but chillingly practical Mrs Lovett, who minces up his clients to become ingredients in her famous pies - three times through the mincer to make the meat nice and juicy'!
Innocence and suffering are given form by Beverley Warboys' victimised Johanna, Ray Gabbard's courageous Anthony and Craig Purnell as the poor, duped Tobias Ragg. Evil and hypocrisy is equally well served by Julian Forsyth as the tormented Judge Turpin, Martin Callaghan as the Beadle, and Phillip Rham as the blackmailing Pirelli, and among the ragtag of London lowlife Kate Graham's pathetic and horrifying beggar woman is frighteningly realistic.
The bars of Joanna's caged existence cannily reflect the prisons, both physical and mental, that the various characters are locked in and full use is made of the revolve stage to create a fluid transition from scene to scene. Subtle lighting reflected the shifting moods and shadows of this grim and vengeful canter through the seamy side of London, and the white shadows of tortured self punishment projected onto a backdrop are particularly effective. The excellent musicians joined the cast for well-deserved enthusiastic applause at curtain call.
Not for the squeamish, maybe, but this Sweeney Todd is recommended for all with stout hearts and strong dispositions - and for men who want an excuse to remain unshaven.
Beadle: Martin Callaghan
Company: Alison Connell
Judge Turpin: Julian Forsyth
Anthony Hope: Ray Gabbard
Mrs Lovett: Jenny Galloway
Beggar Woman: Kate Graham
Company: Kirsty Hoiles
Tobias Ragg: Craig Purnell
Pirelli/Jonas Fogg: Philip Rham
Company: Ben Sleep
Company: Phillip Sutton
Sweeney Todd: Lyndon Terracini
Johanna: Beverley Worboys
The Band:
Clarinet/Bass Clarinet: Andrew Dickinson
Cello: Moira Hartley
Flute/Piccolo: Sarah Stanley
Trumpet/Flugel Horn: J. Brian Towse
Violins: Sophie Lang and Kelly McCusker
Director: Stephen Edwards
Designer: Neil Irish
Lighting: Tina MacHugh
Sound: Matt McKenzie
Video Design: Kit Lane
Musical Arranger/Musical Director: Andrew Synnott
Assistant Musical Director: Moira Hartley
Choreographer: Caimin Collins
2004-05-14 01:18:29