Theater Review - Sweeney Todd

Sweeney Todd

Book by Hugh Wheeler

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim 

Directed by Jonathan Kent

Where: Adelphi Theatre, London, England

When: Saturday, April 28, 7:30pm

In what will likely be my only instance of seeing live theater in Britain, I am incredibly pleased to report that Sweeney Todd was the dark, morbid tale I was expecting -- and it was great.  I don't dislike the Johnny Depp-Tim Burton movie adaptation as much as others (although it did seem to lack any modicum of fun which, despite the freakish storyline, this work should have), but seeing Stephen Sondheim's wickedly delightful tale unfold on a stage with two fantastic lead performances was wonderful.

Although probably most famous for being a musical about stuffing humans into pies, Sweeney Todd weaves the tale of the title character, a barber who was banished from London after evil judge Turpin begins to lust after his wife.  Sweeney (played by Michael Ball) covertly returns to London and takes residence in piemaker Nellie Lovett's shop.  Mrs. Lovett (the delightful Imelda Staunton) tells Sweeney that his wife killed herself after Turpin raped her and that Sweeney's teenage daughter is kept locked away by Turpin.  Sweeney vows revenge and begins a murderous rampage that helps Mrs. Lovett's ailing pie shop as she brainstorms the devious idea of stuffing Sweeney's murder victims into delicious meat pies.

Despite its rather horrid premise, Sweeney Todd manages to be darkly humorous thanks mainly to Mrs. Lovett who is marvelously portrayed here by Imelda Staunton.  Staunton -- best known to American audiences for her role as Dolores Umbridge in the Harry Potter movies -- may not be the best singer, but she brings much needed comedic timing to the heavy affair.  Her interactions with the equally impressive, though frighteningly brooding Michael Ball were the best parts of the production...and ultimately make some of the scenes in which neither of them are involved a bit of a letdown only because these two leads were so electric that you wanted the story to always be revolving around them.

Still, this Stephen Sondheim musical is widely regarded as one of the best musical theater pieces ever written and it's easy to see why.  With two hefty roles, a unique story, and cleverly wry lyrics, it has the hallmarks of what one looks for in a musical.  This production re-imagined by director Jonathan Kent updated to 1930s London rather than the usual mid-19th century in which the play was initially written is visually sparse, but oddly spot-on in the urban aesthetic it desires to achieve.

Sweeney Todd wasn't necessarily the first choice to go see in London, but I'm certainly glad we decided to go this route.  The great reviews this production received were certainly warranted.