The Sweeney Todd Shock N’ Roll Show
About the Production
Billy and Tommy are two sailors just home from the sea. When Billy decides he needs a shave before travelling home to Susan, his girl, he unfortunately chooses the wrong barber. As does Alonzo, a travelling magician and illusionist extraordinaire. Sweeney Todd’s murderous secret is in danger though. Lured by easy money, Todd has foolishly given an apprenticeship to the young Tobias Stoutheart, and Tobias is curious. Why is there a trapdoor beneath the barber’s chair? Alonzo’s assistant, Foozle, (along with his dog, Orlando) is concerned when his master goes missing, as is Tommy, who knows the last place Billy went was Todd’s barber shop, along with a valuable string of pearls. Together, this trio of investigators might just put an end to the demon barber’s reign of terror, but the trail leads from a Gin Palace in Smithfield to a madhouse in Peckham and finally to Mrs Lovett’s cellar bakehouse for a final confrontation…
This take on the traditional Victorian melodrama is a lot sillier than most other versions. Queen Victoria is just one addition to the usual list of characters, and Mrs Lovett’s Pastriacci Mark III automated pie-making machine, not to mention a police chase involving most of the cast, are among the many opportunities for slapstick and physical theatre. The well-known storyline is still in there somewhere, but this is more ‘Carry On’ than Sondheim.
One footnote. The programme states that the part of Queen Victoria was played by Wendy Cole. Sadly, after the programme had been printed, Wendy fell ill and Paul Ford, who up to that point had been playing John Brown, HRH’s attendant, dragged up and became Queen. Like you do.
The Cast
Behind the Scenes
Image Gallery
The Reviews
A Tasty Slice of Panto Pie
In their production of “The Sweeney Todd Shock ‘n’ Roll Show” Theatre Workshop Coulsdon avoided emphasis of the bloodier elements of the story, and presented a family show which had a little of everything. An amazing hat-trick with audience participation, a patriotic song backed by the Union Jack, a dame-like Queen Victoria, and a faithful dog which won everyone’s sympathy were all on offer and as pantomime fare it was well received.
Sweeney Todd, here an essentially pantomime villain, was played by Richard Lloyd who gave easily the best performance of the evening. He had a strong voice which extended melodically to his songs, and a commanding personality with which he skilfully manipulated the audience’s reactions. He was given rather colourless support by Lesley Argles as Mrs Lovett, his partner in crime, who could have made far more of her character’s nastier elements. Much better was Christine Cooper’s engaging Tobias Stoutheart, Sweeney’s orphan apprentice who uncovers his dastardly deeds. Her duet with Richard Lloyd, each singing to the audience their separate impressions, was one of the show’s vocal highlights.
Chris Argles’ production was well staged and had impressive scenes. The dancing and singing in the madhouse, the Pastriacci Pie Machine, and the dwarf policemen were all well presented. Sweeney’s barber shop, however, did seem unnecessarily vast and could probably have been more effectively confined to half the stage. Also the Gin Palace scene was far too subdued and needed more boozy hubbub from the chorus. Simeon Dawes and Lee Wilkinson were amiable Jack Tars, and both enhanced the production’s level of singing ability. Also notable in supporting roles were Karen Ellison’s Madhouse keeper (whose musical direction of the ‘Loonies’ was entertaining), Tim Young as the magician’s incompetent apprentice and Tim Warner’s appealing canine.
Nick Rowling for The Croydon Advertiser
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