To See or Not to See: Sweeney Todd

Sweeney Todd, the demon barber of Fleet Street, has set up shop in New York, and you won’t want to miss him.

Thanks to the Tooting Arts Club’s inventive and immersive production of Sweeney Todd, the Barrow Street Theatre has been transformed into Harrington’s Pie and Mash Shop, one of London’s oldest working pie shops. To set the scene and begin your experience of this fresh Sweeney Todd production, you have the option of a pre-show pie and mash dinner. I highly advise you add it to your ticket purchase because “the worst pies in London” is definitely not a refrain you’ll be singing. The (chicken or veggie) pies are created by former White House Executive Pastry Chef William Yosses, and they are flaky and delicious. You’ll also get a generous helping of mashed potatoes and a drink with your pie. You are then seated at long banquette-type tables to enjoy your meal and, eventually, the show.

The performance itself is just as well-done as the pre-show food. To begin, the lights go out. The actors light candles around the theater as they start singing to create an eerie and moody atmosphere. The are arranged around the room—even seating themselves at the head of each table on the main floor. Indeed, later in the show, they will sometimes stand on top of the tables and counter top. This type of staging really draws the audience into the world of Sweeney Todd; it makes the audience a living part of the show.

Aside from the creative staging, the way in which the music was performed was terrific. Not only was it complementary to the small space itself (there were only three musicians), but it was also ideal for the production. It allowed the voices of the performers and the song lyrics to really shine. Since the lyrics were easier to hear against the music, their wit and brilliance were showcased in a way that surpasses previous productions I’ve seen of Sweeney Todd.

Brad Oscar and the musicians

Overall, the cast was terrific. Several cast members came with the production from London: Jeremy Secomb (Sweeney Todd), Siobhán McCarthy (Mrs. Lovett), Joseph Taylor (Toby), and Duncan Smith (Judge Turpin). Joining them in the New York production are Matt Doyle (Anthony), Alex Finke (Johanna), Betsy Morgan (the Beggar Woman/Pirelli), and Brad Oscar (Beadle Bamford). Stand-out songs included both renditions of “Johanna,” “The Worst Pies in London,” and Secomb’s haunted yet terrifying “Epiphany.” Morgan, Taylor, and McCarthy were exceptionally wonderful in their roles. The balance of comedy and misery they each expressed was pitch-perfect and made their characters incredibly endearing.

For those not familiar with the gruesome story of Sweeney Todd, it is one of Stephen Sondheim’s darker shows. Benjamin Barker, a barber, has returned to London from years spent in a prison colony in Australia; he goes by the name Sweeney Todd now. He had left behind a beautiful wife and small daughter, Johanna, with whom he wants to reunite. Encountering Mrs. Lovett, a down-and-out pie maker occupying his old shop, he learns that his wife perished and the Judge, who sent him to prison years ago, has taken Johanna as his ward. Vowing revenge, Todd begins a bloody business with Mrs. Lovett (let’s just say that you will be glad you ate your meat pie before seeing the show).

Sweeney Todd may make your skin crawl and your heart race, but you’ll also find yourself eager to immerse yourself back into that world when the show is over. So, hurry up and make your way down to the Barrow Street Theatre. Sweeney Todd is one of this season’s electrifying shows that can’t be missed.

[Note: In April, there will be come cast replacements: Norm Lewis (Sweeney Todd),  Carolee Carmello (Mrs. Lovett), Stacie Bono (Beggar Woman/Pirelli), Jamie Jackson (Judge Turpin), and John-Michael Lyles (Tobias)]

Photo Credit: Joan Marcus