FOLLOWING its hit premiere run at the Derby Theatre, the Mercury's co-production of Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd arrives at the Colchester theatre next week.
Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler’s multi-award-winning musical has already wowed audiences all over the world and even inspired a movie version starring Johnny Depp, Alan Rickman and Helena Bonham Carter.
The classic Victorian gothic story features Sweeney Todd, a prosperous and successful Fleet Street barber with a thirst for revenge.
As he welcomes clients to his barber’s chair, little do they know they will soon be catapulted into the cellar below with their throats cut. Meanwhile, next door, Mrs Lovett is busy serving up her succulent meat pies with its very special ingredient.
In a co-production with Derby Theatre, the show has been directed by Mercury artistic director, Daniel Buckroyd.
He says: “Sweeney Todd is one of those shows that actors are just dying to perform, so we’ve assembled an incredibly talented cast for this production.
"A company of ten performers with an extraordinary wealth of West End experience between them, and the vocal power that Sondheim’s show demands.”
That includes leads Hugh Maynard as Sweeney, who has a huge list of West End credits including Simon Zealotes and understudy Judas, in Jesus Christ Superstar, The Lion King, We Will Rock You, Sister Act and Miss Saigon.
Playing Mrs Lovett will be one of London's most accomplished and acclaimed actor and musical theatre performers, Sophie-Louise Dann.
She performed the roles of Paula in the original cast of Bend It Like Beckham and Barbara in the original cast of Made in Dagenham. Sophie was also nominated for the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical for her performance in Lend Me A Tenor at the Gielgud Theatre in 2011.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street runs at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester, from Wednesday, October 26, to November 12.
Recommended for ages 12 and over, tickets are priced from £12 to £27, available from the box office on 01206 573948 or on-line at www.mercurytheatre.co.uk
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