Sweeney Todd
The Adelphi Theatre
Performance: Monday 11th June 2012
I love walking into a theatre, finding your seat and realising you do not have a clue what you are about to see. This is exactly what I felt as I took my seat (which was extremely comfortable compared to your average theater seat may I add). Of course most people have a vague idea about the story of Sweeney Todd after seeing the film version starring Johnny Depp & Helena Bonham Carter.
I was looking forward to see Michael Ball in a completely different role after seeing him last in Hairspray and I was extremely excited to see Peter Polycarpou on stage again after last seeing his incredible performance in Love Story last year. This was the first time I had seen Imelda Staunton on stage and after watching her present the Olivier awards for the last two years with Michael Ball, I knew they would have amazing chemistry.
The was the production began was interesting with cast members slowly wondering onto the stage while the audience was still coming in. However I felt this broke the wall and made it harder to get into the world of Sweeney Todd when the show began. Apart from that I found the way the ensemble were used incredibly effective, especially the way they were standing around the top level, peering down onto the stage during the majority of the performance. This created a strong gloomy atmosphere which really added to the show.
I was not expecting Sweeney Todd to be so funny! Although sometimes I felt that certain moments should have been more serious. For example when Imelda Staunton's character, Mrs Lovett, was killed it could have been a dramatic, heart wrenching moment. Instead it just got a few little laughs which I felt was a missed opportunity. Also I could not take the character of Pirelli, played by Robert Burt seriously as he looked like the guy from the Go Compare advert. While this may sound immature on my behalf several people around me were all singing 'go compare' under their breath each time he was on stage.
Michael Ball blew me away as Sweeney Todd. He shows such versatility in the roles that he chooses to play. Although for me it was Imelda Staunton who completely stole the show. Although she is tiny she completely owned the stage. She is a comedy genius, the parts where her character, Mrs Lovett, was attempting to sing was hilarious. The rest of the cast was strong, as you would expect. John Bowe and Peter Polycarpou performed with power. I loved Gillian Kirkpatrick! She brought so much depth to the Beggar Woman and her voice was incredible, it isn't an easy part to sing! Lucy May Barker was shattering windows with her incredible vocal range. I don't think it's possible for a human being to sing any higher. Luke Brady pulled at my heart strings as Anthony. James McConville gave an endearing performance as Tobias who was my favourite character.
This is a good production of Sweeney Todd, I would recommend it if you fancy seeing something different to your average musical. I would not recommend this show to people who don't speak fluent English as I was aware some people around me didn't understand what was going on. Even I found some parts hard to follow as I did not previously know the story at all. As for the faint hearted, there is not as much blood and guts as you would expect. People laugh each time someone is killed as it isn't done in a serious, dramatic way. I found some parts slow and boring. I usually hate blood and guts but even I was thinking 'just hurry up and kill someone'.
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http://sweeneytoddwestend.com/ to find out more and to buy tickets.
