York Theatre Royal – until Saturday 4th March 2023
Reviewed by Michelle Richardson
4****
Celebrating 70 years of musicals, York Light Opera Company, are once again performing on the stage at York Theatre Royal. This year’s production is Sondheim’s wonderful, but dark musical Sweeney Todd.
Sweeney Todd tells the tale of barber Benjamin Barker, aka Sweeney Todd (Neil Wood), who returns to London after being wrongfully banished for 15 years, by malicious Judge Turpin (Craig Kirby) for a crime he did not commit. On his return he finds that his dear wife is dead with their daughter Johanna (Madeleine Hicks), under the guardianship of that same judge, and vows to seek his revenge. He befriends Mrs Lovett (Julie-Anne Smith) and sets up a barbers above her struggling pie shop. Just when Todd is about to exact his revenge, the opportunity is pulled out from under him, and the chance is gone. Incensed and enraged, he snaps, and starts slitting the throats of his unsuspecting clientele. With assistance of the ever-pragmatic Mrs Lovett, who suggests baking the flesh inside her meat pies, as meat is so scarce, as a way of disposing of the bodies. A pact is formed, and the murderous slaughter ensues.
Wood has dreamt of playing the title role since 1987, when he first saw the show. His vocals were excellent, but what really stood out for me was his portrayal of Todd’s downward spiral, the inner rage emanating from within him, it was compelling to watch.
Taking nothing away from the rest of the cast, the stand out of the show was Smith as Mrs Lovett. Her delivery of the many musical numbers was outstanding. With her frizzy orange hair, she was captivating, mischievous and fully embraced the character.
Other performances to note were Jonny Holbek as Tobias. He really came into his own during the second half, as he slips into insanity with the shock and horror that he has been dealing with. Hicks, playing Johanna, has a beautiful voice, especially with the lovestruck Anthony (Maximus Mawle), they really complement each other. Shout out to Kirby for stepping into the role with 3 weeks to spare as the sinister Judge, he deserved the boos during the finale, in a good way and a seal of approval from the audience.
This has a large cast of 39 and I was concerned that this would be too much, my fears were unfounded. The ensemble cast were truly magnificent when delivering their group performances. These group numbers were so powerful and added to a great experience.
During the interval I was chatting to a couple of members of York Light who had been working behind the scenes. Once of these ladies has been with them for 50 years, both front stage and back of house. She helped make the costumes for this production and this is her final swansong, I wish her all the best. The costume department has done such a wonderful job in creating so many costumes in such a short space of time.
The set was dark, with the barber shop above the pie shop, with the large oven being wheeled on and off the stage. The use of the barber chair had us all gasping when in use, I’m not going to say anything else, you just have to see for yourself.
York Light have created a great show that is full of terrific performances and musical numbers. Make sure you purchase their celebratory 70th programme, which is jammed packed through with articles and even comes with a poster.
This dark tale, with a few playful and funny moment thrown in, is thick with injustice, and though pretty macabre, you can’t help but feel some sympathy for Todd. What would you do if you were pushed to the end of your tether?
What is your favourite pie?