Stephen Brodie as Sweeney Todd and Gabrielle O’Brien as Mrs Lovett.FRIDAY the 13th was an eerie night at the Drum Theatre thanks to Dandenong Theatre Company’s (DTC) production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
With a book written by Hugh Wheeler, a score by the legendary Stephen Sondheim and based on a novel by Christopher Bond, Sweeney Todd tells the ghastly story of Benjamin Barker, a humble barber in 1800s London.
Mr Barker is sent away to Australia on a ridiculous charge by the nefarious Judge Turpin, who has designs on Barker’s wife.
When Barker returns many years later under the alias of Sweeney Todd, he learns of the fate that his wife and child have suffered at the hands of Judge Turpin from Mrs Lovett, the widow who owns the pie shop below Mr Barker’s former barber shop.
Consumed by rage and a thirst for revenge, Sweeney and Mrs Lovett cook up a plan for vengeance to serve up to the unsuspecting public of London and eventually to Judge Turpin himself.
Known as a rare musical thriller, Sweeney Todd examines many of the darker emotions of which the human race is capable.
Director Neil Goodwin rates the show as one of Stephen Sondheim’s best.
“Sweeney Todd tells its story through a unique blend of theatrical styles; Shakespearian melodrama, Victorian operetta, music hall Burlesque to name but a few, but also makes social commentary in the way of Charles Dickens and Orson Welles,” he said.
“It’s a very intricate and clever piece of writing.”
DTC vice-president Matt Caton said the final product was well worth watching.
“Sweeney is such a challenging show to produce with some very complicated technical elements that are essential to the script,” he said.
“I believe this production to be one of the highest-quality shows we’ve produced.”
Sweeney Todd is playing at The Drum Theatre until 28 April, with the next show tonight (Thursday) at 8pm.
Call the Drum Box Office on 9771 6666 for tickets, or visit www.dandenongtheatre.org.au for more information.
