SWEENEY TOOD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET
Music & Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim
Director: Greg Hack
Vocal Director: Kelly Petersen
Choreographer: Lauren Empson
Producer: Hamilton Musical Theatre
Riverlea Theatre, 11-25 May 2024
Judging by the full house on a frosty winter’s night it is safe to assume an appetite for musical theatre continues in Hamilton.
In a debut theatre performance, Cam Strother (Sweeney Todd) seemed anything but a newcomer. Strother’s voice and stage presence were that of a seasoned performer. As he descended into deranged mania, Strother embodied the broken and tortured demon barber with absolute ease.
Trish Marsden (Mrs Lovett) was magnificent. Every line, note and gesture appeared genuine and effortless thanks to an exceptionally skilled delivery. Marsden was witty, vulnerable and utterly compelling. Strother and Marsden’s chemistry was outstanding providing a believable glimpse into a curious relationship steeped in layers of desire and deceit.
Mike Williams (Judge Turpin) was masterful as the corrupt, entitled and heinous individual whose perverse ideas were sickening. Word on the street is that Turpin might be Williams’ swan song. If so, he is going out on a tremendous execution of a theatrical role. Bravo!
Charlotte Menhennet (Johanna), Seumas Eade (Anthony), Shaun White (Beadle) and Sean Hapi (Tobias) delivered performances that confirm the next generation of talent is up to task, particularly from a vocal standpoint. Alice Collins (Beggar Woman) and Richard Goodson (Pirelli) were entertaining providing lighter moments of relief in an often dark piece.
In places, the diction could have been better. Mark Perry had nailed the sound design but some crucial lines were lost due to clumsy enunciation. Phill Miles’ multi-level set was impressive. Lighting, hair, make up, wigs, costumes and props all solidified the atmosphere of squalid, seedy Victorian London.
Director Greg Hack had to step into the role of Fogg on Opening Night due to cast illness. He was faultless and took it in his stride. Hack alongside Kelly Petersen as Vocal Director and Lauren Empson as Choreographer produced a well-rehearsed version of Sondheim’s musical thriller that allowed the cast and production team to shine and showcase their unique talents.
In terms of sightlines, there are a few adjustments that would benefit the audience. Pirelli’s death should have been further upstage as the impact was lost for those sitting at the back of the theatre. In the closing scene, the oven needed to be slightly more stage right as at least a quarter of the audience would have missed the wonderfully lit and staged silhouette in the doorway.
All in all, Sweeney Todd was a cut above. Hamilton Musical Theatre’s dark comedy was lively, creepy, entertaining and indeed thrilling.
Images: Kerry Blakeney-Williams
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