Sweeney Todd – The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

This deliciously macabre story from the Victorian gutters of London has been savoured for two centuries.  As a kid I once thought it was true.

From penny dreadful to melodramas, to Christopher Bond’s 1970s play adding a back story of the cruel injustice suffered by the demon barber, to Stephen Sondheim’s musical thriller, the truth of this story lies in the grim and inhumane poverty of those times.

This dark moral truth is perfectly captured in this revival of Sondheim’s unique musical, here directed again by Stuart Maunder for the Victorian Opera, now collaborating with NZ Opera.  Roger Kirk’s design, lit by Philip Lethlean, is an underworld of arches and stairways crowded by high warehouses, his costumes theatrical but true to period, in dark tones with flashes of blood red. 

Our anti-hero was falsely transported (to Australia!) but returns to his barber shop manically determined to avenge the destruction of his family. But soon his throat-slitting turns pathological, even industrial, with the full support from Mrs Lovett downstairs who uses the meat to finally perfect her pies. 

Ben Mingay as Todd Is a beefy, threatening presence, a little too heavy-footed but melancholy and commanding in voice.  Antoinette Halloran sparkles brilliantly as Mrs Lovett, amorous, scheming and hilarious.  Both have played these roles before and many others in operas, but – like this strong gutsy ensemble generally – while they sing with operatic power, they are electric performers.  

The star of course is the late Stephen Sondheim, and his score of erupting organ music, obscene blasts of brass, and memorable melodies to die over – all delivered smartly by conductor Simon Holt and his live band. The horror of Sweeney Todd defies the old saccharine musical clichés and jukebox shows. 

Sondheim’s genius is in the wit and depth of his lyrics, and that seamless segue to songs which power on  the storyline, vital words which are sometimes swallowed in this production. Our barber/baker duo don’t miss a beat as they salivate through Sondheim’s word-rich hit, celebrating the taste of pies made from different occupations.

Hugh Wheeler’s book reveals a parade of delightful new characters and twists – like the evil Judge Turpin (Dean Vince), the flamboyant Beadle (Kanen Breen) and the foul-mouthed, mysterious beggar woman (Margaret Trubiano).  Jeremi Campese also excels as the boy Tobias, left sweetly singing “Not While I’m Around”, dumb to his fate.

A musical thriller indeed, and a must to see for Sweeney Todd virgins.

Martin Portus

Photographer: Daniel Boud