Written By
Christopher Bond
Where and When
1st – 4th April 1998 @ The Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne
The Plot
In this version of the classic melodrama, Todd has some grounds for his nefarious activities: his wife was abducted and raped by the Judge and his daughter abandoned, while he himself was deported on a false charge. He returns to avenge his family, accompanied by a sea captain, Anthony, whose life he has saved. Anthony falls in love with a young girl, the Judge’s ward, who turns out to be Todd’s daughter. Todd, meanwhile, sets up with Mrs. Lovett, the pie maker, and provides her with fillings for her pies. He proceeds with his vengeful plans, but the outcome is bitterly ironic.
Cast
- Anthony Hope – Paul Dodman
- Sweeney Todd – Geoff Whipp
- A Beggar Woman – Margaret Pope
- Mrs Lovett – Jan Stevenson
- A Beadle – Tony Willmett
- Judge Turpin – Joe Brooks
- Tobias Ragg – John Williams
- A Balding Man – Dave Williams
- Alfredo Pirelli – Richard Neal
- Johanna – Carolyn Hewitt
- The Watch – Martin Matthews
- A Prisoner – Christian Napier
- A Young Stranger – Tiffany Kenyon
- Eliza Fogg – Chrissie Wathen
- A Carpenter – Simon Jackson
- A Greengrocer – Daphne Young
- A Flower Seller – Muriel Brooks
- A Milkmaid – Rebecca Gunnell
Creative Team
- Director – Penny Scotford
- Musical Director – Chris Dowie
- Designers – Geoff Stone and Fiona McDonald
- Lighting – Ian Taylor
- Stage Manager – Simon Jackson
- Costumes – Roy Joseph
- Wardrobe – Ann Whiteside
- Properties – Eddie Colton
- Barber’s Chair – Eddie Colton
- Hair and make-up – Sheila Smith, Vicky Smith and Lorraine Brown
- Caller – Matthew Gill
Previews
Reviews
Linda Kirkman – Daily Echo
What a bloodthirsty lot they are in Wimborne! Far from being put off by the blood splattered posters around town, the audience flocked to watch the Demon Barber disposing of his victims – and they eagerly ate the proffered meat pies in the interval, despite dire warnings about their “probable contents”.
Penny Scotford’s excellent production is performed in truly melodramatic style, with lashings of humour and pathos, and she is well-served by a first-rate cast.
Geoff Whipp plays the title role as if born to it, and he has a superb partner-in-crime in Jan Stevenson as Mrs Lovett. Much of the humour is provided by these two, although young John Williams deservedly gets his fair share of laughs as the unfortunate James Ragg.
My only slight concern was that the lighting did not always go down enough between scenes, and the occasional “dead body” could clearly be seen walking away – but that is a problem easily rectified.
An imaginative set makes good use of the small stage, and the barber’s chair, the means of removing victims from shop to cellar, drew a spontaneous round of applause. But I’m giving nothing away. Go see for yourself!
Programme
