STUDLEY Operatic Society staged an excellent production of hit musical Sweeney Todd, with some fantastic performances from a very talented cast.
Paul Mitchell was superb as Todd. He put in a very emotional portrayal and, despite the evils of the character, the audience were with him all the way, especially when it came to him getting revenge on the judge.
The vocals were also pitch-perfect, especially Jonathan Boxall-Southall – his harmonies with both Johanna (India Peart-Barr) and Todd were faultless throughout.
Another highlight of the show was the chemistry was between Mitchell and Lou Walton who lit up the stage as Mrs Lovett.
Their performance of A Little Priest drew plenty of laughs and, in what is a very dark musical, she also provided the majority of the much-needed comedy throughout the show.
Those watching also really empathised with her during her rendition of ‘By the Sea’ when she tried to convince Todd to move away to the coast with her.
The Demon Barber always needs a well-thought-out set and Studley Operatic’s was just that. Cleverly put together, it enabled an almost seamless transition between the pie shop, the barber’s, the street, the judge’s house, the bakehouse and Mrs Lovett’s front room.
Julian Bissell was suitably evil as the judge, Liz Bird was an audience favourite as the beggar woman, as was Craig Robert McDowall as Tobias.
The chair, in the second half which enables the ‘disposal of bodies’ through a trapdoor also added to the humour, as did the special effect ‘blood’.
This razor-sharp show was well worth the rapturous applause at the end and, if you have not seen it, is well worth a watch.
Remaining performances take place at 7.30pm tonight (Thursday), tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday (April 29).
There is also a matinee at 2.30pm on Saturday.
Visit www.redditchpalacetheatre.co.uk or call 01527 65203 for more information or tickets, which are £17.
