Grand Theatre in London (MIKE HENSEN, The London Free Press)
The Play: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler, presented by Musical Theatre Productions and Allswell Productions, directed by Hailey Hill with musical direction by Ben Leibovitz and choreography by Cassandra Di Felice.
The Show: This musical thriller opened on Broadway in 1979 and won eight Tony awards, including best musical. It tells the story of Sweeney Todd, an unjustly exiled barber, who returns to London seeking vengeance on the lecherous judge who framed him and ravaged his young wife. The road to revenge leads Todd to Mrs. Lovett, who runs a failing pie shop, above which he opens a new barber practice. Mrs. Lovett’s shop becomes popular as Todd’s thirst for revenge adds a new ingredient to her meat pies.
The Quote: “l love the story of Sweeney Todd and the music is complex and interesting. In our production, we wanted to make the characters relatable, but also present. The show has a lot of issues that are still occurring today, especially when it comes to financial instability, not being able to survive on basic income, women being controlled by the men in their lives and not being listened to or really having a voice anymore. Everyone can relate to something that’s happening to any of the characters and can see a piece of themselves in the people onstage.”— Hailey Hill, director.
If you go
What: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, presented by Musical Theatre Productions and Allswell Productions.
When: Thursday through Saturday and Dec. 4-7, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday and Dec. 7, 1:30 p.m.
Where: The Grand Theatre’s McManus Stage, 471 Richmond St.
Tickets: $30 available at the box office, online at mtplondon.ca or grandtheatre.com, or by calling 519-672-8800. Note: Several shows are sold out.