Review: Students’ production of Sondheim musical is among the best in the Midlands

If music can lighten the darkest hearts, then it has its work cut out with Sweeney Todd.

The famous barber of Fleet Street has been hardened by life’s injustices, and he’s out to take revenge. But if we were ever tempted to follow Sweeney’s example and seek redress in a cruel world – well, this marvellous performance of Stephen Sondheim’s sharp and sensuous musical might tempt us away from our dastardly thoughts.

Make no mistake: Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street is a dark tale. Unjustly imprisoned, Sweeney loses the love of his life to the cruel Judge Turpin (James Hudson) who sent him down. He rapes her, she takes poison, and he imprisons his only daughter, Johanna. On his return to London, Sweeney takes revenge, not only on those who hurt him but on the whole world, or as many as pass through his shop. He is a romantic hero of Byronic proportions, and Stuart Nunn in the title role does him full justice.

This is a big production, requiring great acting as well as great singing - and it gets it.

Bethany Adams as Mrs Lovett is a comic Lady Macbeth to her struggling Sweeney, egging him on with a mixture of common sense and cunning. Why not turn customers into pies if that helps business? Times are hard and every little helps.

There are so many fine performances in this brilliant, sardonic show. Go and see it. Right now, it’s got to be one of the best in the Midlands.

Nick Le Mesurier