Sink your teeth into a meaty, messy Sondheim musical
Blue Mountains Musical Society presents Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street from May 24, 2013.
After 25 years of producing music theatre and concerts in the Springwood Civic Centre, the venue that has come to be known as home to Blue Mountains Musical Society is currently undergoing renovations, leaving them homeless for a few years. The community group has decided to take a big leap and stage their current production of Sweeney Todd in Penrith, at the Joan Sutherland Centre’s Q Theatre.
The title role of Sweeney Todd is played by David Hidden, who has enjoyed the challenge of this iconic role, “Such an amazing character, how could you not want to play him! There's always something so appealing about playing bad guys. I can't quite put my finger on it.” He defends his character vehemently, “Whilst a barber indiscriminately killing clients is not a pleasant or everyday occurrence, it's actually not that implausible. It's the pies that are really the worry...”
Simon Halligan returns to BMMS for the first time in 8 years, coming straight from Opera Australia’s Carmen, along with fellow Sweeney castmate Keara Donohoe, to play the show’s heartthrob, Anthony.
He jumped at the opportunity to play the role saying, “I have been obsessed with the piece since my early teenage years”. When asked about the different direction this show is headed, Simon said, “I’m sure this will not be the usual Sweeney that many will expect.”
Imraan Daniels will be playing the role of Toby. The 18-year-old is balancing rehearsing for the show with his first year of studies at the Australian Institute of Music. Imraan says he doesn’t know when he started performing, “ever since I can remember I’ve been singing. I’m not really sure where it started, but I just liked to sing.”
Theatre Nepean graduate Roslyn Bate is playing the mysterious role of the Homeless Woman. She says, “Sweeney Todd has been an adventure. The rehearsal process has been challenging as the character I play is written so insane that it is hard to make her real and to give her the emotional depth and real world characteristics she deserves.”
Jessica Lovelace, who has taken the musical in a new direction conceptually, updating it to a more stylish, contemporary telling, directs the show. Whilst keeping the original story, music, characters and dialogue, this production is described by the director as being set in “a city very much like Sydney in a year very much like 2013”. She hopes this will give audiences a better insight into the musical.
“Sometimes musicals, like Shakespeare or Opera, can distance an audience because there is a communication gap. My goal is to get rid of that gap and tell this awesomely gruesome story straight to the front row.”
Blue Mountains Musical Society promises a slick, sexy and stylish production to bring this classic tale into the here and now.
Don’t be afraid to sink your teeth in and get a little messy. They’re not.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and libretto by Hugh Wheeler.
Based on the 1973 play Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street by Christopher Bond.
Dates: 24th May – 1st June 2013
Venue: Q Theatre, Joan Sutherland Centre, Penrith
Tickets: $35/$30
Booking: www.jspac.com.au
Photographer: Aubtin Namdar
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