THE MUCH-anticipated masterpiece that is ‘Sweeney Todd – The Demon Barber of Fleet Street’ by Stephen Sondheim has arrived at the Birmingham REP on a six-week run.
This is a show I have reviewed several times but I feel this is the best one I have seen – every bit was perfectly pitched.
It is, as we know, a very dark production but with plenty of dark humour to lighten the mood along the way.
There are so many fantastic and relatable characters in this and, underlying the action, is a lot of human emotion and social observation.
In fact, the story covers a multitude of scenarios, situations and the feelings attached to them – injustice, anger and grief.
The 11-strong cast worked in harmony to deliver a cutting performance.
Florence Andrews had the difficult task of playing the Beggar Woman – just popping up here and there in the first act and then playing a pivotal role in the second. She made the most of the lines when she had few early on and conveyed the emotion needed at the conclusion.
Picture by Manuel Harlan. s
Silas Wyatt-Barke made for a solid Aldofo Pirelli. He was the humorous stereotypical Italian with a sinister side, getting his fair share of the laughs in the lighter moments.
Jack Gibson was great as Tobias Ragg – initially Pirelli’s sidekick and cheeky chappy and then later, caught up in being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The audience definitely had a soft spot for him due to the way the character was portrayed.
Julius Silva made the role of the camp Beadle Bamford his own. He too had his own fair share of comedic moments as he minced about the stage and, particularly in the second act, where he could not resist showcasing his singing skills.
Picture by Manuel Harlan. s
Jo Stephenson as Johanna was everything her role demanded and more – a pretty portrayal with good vocal range. Her duets with Anthony were among the musical highlights.
Speaking of Anthony, Shem Omari James ensured this character was taken to the audience’s hearts from the moment he stepped out. You were willing for him to ‘get the girl’ and his vocals were breathtaking throughout.
David Bedella was fantastic has the seedy, sleazy, slimy Judge Turpin. He seemed to get more loathsome each time he appeared on stage. The actor’s job of making the audience’s skin crawl with his delivery was more than accomplished. His duet with Todd on Pretty Women as the Demon Barber prepared him for his shave in act one was definitely a memorable musical moment. And, also down to Bedella’s performance, you were just waiting for Todd to get his revenge.
Meow Meow played the role of Mrs Lovett as quirky and as energetic as was humanly possible. Switching from warbling song to the classic Cockney dialect, she had perfect comic timing throughout and had the audience roaring with laughter at times. Mrs Lovett provides the much-needed humour in the darkness and you could tell she relished every line she delivered. She was the perfect foil for Todd.
Picture by Manuel Harlan. s
Sweeney Todd himself was played as the role should be by Ramin Karimloo. It was a masterful performance in which Karimloo dominated and commanded the stage, conveying every emotion during the show. There was a crescendo of anger before the break and those feelings only escalated in the second act as the finale approached.
A Little Priest and By the Sea, the two most light-hearted songs in this score, were a joy to experience.
The principals were excellently supported by the ensemble and seven piece orchestra as they told this classic tale and the set was also as perfect as you will see. It enabled the action to switch seamlessly between the pie shop, barber shop, Johanna’s prison at the hands of the Judge, streets of London and more. It’s always interesting to see the techniques of getting the bodies from the Demon Barber’s chair to Mrs Lovett’s kitchen and this one provides the humour and anticipation needed. The special effects of the fire and the smoke were the blade on the razor.
Usually, after shows, you sometimes get semi-standing ovations and occasionally full ones. But on the last words ‘Fleet Street’ in this production, every single one of the audience was on their feet. And completely deserved too.
Joe Murphy outlined in detail everything he wanted to convey in his programme notes and, thanks to this fabulous talented cast, orchestra and backstage crew, this was done with aplomb.
Sweeney Todd runs at the Birmingham REP until August 15 – plenty of time to get your tickets. This is a sharp show you do not want to miss.
Click here for times, tickets and more information.
15th Jul, 2026
