Sweeney Todd (Quarry Bank Musical Theatre Society Youth Section)
I class myself as a bit of a Stephen Sondheim aficionado and it is therefore always exciting to see an interpretation of his works, couple that with a deep array of talent that I have seen before with previous productions from Quarry Bank Musical Theatre Society Youth Section and that heightens the thrill to much greater proportions.
Todd is a complex character who could very easily be seen as just inherently evil, hell bent on revenge no matter what the cost but, in reality he wants his life back and to recreate his family relationships, had he realised that the half crazed beggar woman was his wife Lucy the story would have been completely different and probably considerably less engaging. Thus it is as much about the acting talent of the person portraying him as anything else and James Bastable takes the role and makes it completely his own with an epic stage performance only enriched by his powerful vocal.
Darcie Edwards is another stage talent that has to be experienced to be fully believed, take a singing voice that really should be gracing the West End and wrap it up in an intense piece of characterisation that encompasses tragedy to comedy and everything in between with some quite stunning facial expressions that make her Mrs Lovett one verging on the best I have ever seen, perhaps on a par with Imelda Staunton (who has considerable years of experience on her side).
Hot foot from a starring role in West Side Story at the Birmingham Hippodrome, Alex Cook brings his accomplished performance skills to the role of sailor Anthony Hope falling for the very likely unattainable Johanna (daughter of Todd but, trapped by the highly unlikable Judge Turpin), exceptionally personified by Alex Cooper.
Judge Turpin is absolutely a man you wouldn’t want to cross and to play ‘restrained yet focused evil’ is difficult, done wrong it can appear almost comedic but, done well as it is in this case by Joe Neale it can be seriously and quite correctly unnerving. It is a similar piece of clever acting from Charlie Bullock that makes his portrayal of Beadle Bamford equally unsettling, both characters are designed to be exactly received in that way but, it takes great acting to deliver that experience.
Izzy Westley-Smith brings a persistent energy and great vocal to the role of the Beggar Woman, Owen Bradley is a delightfully exuberant Pirelli vainly attempting to blackmail Todd before becoming his first victim and Luey Pearce as Tobias Ragg delivers a confident and lyrically dexterous (considering some intricate and difficult songs) performance.
If you are looking for highlights you don't have far to look but, I would point you specifically at the songs 'A Little Priest' and 'By The Sea' two light-hearted numbers that take the audience away from the dark core story, just proving the diversity of performance here.
I spoke to Director/Musical Director, Richard Ganner after the performance and he told me it’s been a privilege to work with such a talented cast, I’ve no doubt he is absolutely right but, he must personally be given considerable credit for bringing together such an outstandingly entertaining piece of musical theatre.
Miss this one at your peril, it truly is a night you will not forget, incredible musical theatre performed by incredible young talent, my words can only encourage you snap-up what remaining tickets there are before the run finishes on Saturday 21st September 2019.
Book Here
Todd is a complex character who could very easily be seen as just inherently evil, hell bent on revenge no matter what the cost but, in reality he wants his life back and to recreate his family relationships, had he realised that the half crazed beggar woman was his wife Lucy the story would have been completely different and probably considerably less engaging. Thus it is as much about the acting talent of the person portraying him as anything else and James Bastable takes the role and makes it completely his own with an epic stage performance only enriched by his powerful vocal.
Darcie Edwards is another stage talent that has to be experienced to be fully believed, take a singing voice that really should be gracing the West End and wrap it up in an intense piece of characterisation that encompasses tragedy to comedy and everything in between with some quite stunning facial expressions that make her Mrs Lovett one verging on the best I have ever seen, perhaps on a par with Imelda Staunton (who has considerable years of experience on her side).
Hot foot from a starring role in West Side Story at the Birmingham Hippodrome, Alex Cook brings his accomplished performance skills to the role of sailor Anthony Hope falling for the very likely unattainable Johanna (daughter of Todd but, trapped by the highly unlikable Judge Turpin), exceptionally personified by Alex Cooper.
Judge Turpin is absolutely a man you wouldn’t want to cross and to play ‘restrained yet focused evil’ is difficult, done wrong it can appear almost comedic but, done well as it is in this case by Joe Neale it can be seriously and quite correctly unnerving. It is a similar piece of clever acting from Charlie Bullock that makes his portrayal of Beadle Bamford equally unsettling, both characters are designed to be exactly received in that way but, it takes great acting to deliver that experience.
Izzy Westley-Smith brings a persistent energy and great vocal to the role of the Beggar Woman, Owen Bradley is a delightfully exuberant Pirelli vainly attempting to blackmail Todd before becoming his first victim and Luey Pearce as Tobias Ragg delivers a confident and lyrically dexterous (considering some intricate and difficult songs) performance.
If you are looking for highlights you don't have far to look but, I would point you specifically at the songs 'A Little Priest' and 'By The Sea' two light-hearted numbers that take the audience away from the dark core story, just proving the diversity of performance here.
I spoke to Director/Musical Director, Richard Ganner after the performance and he told me it’s been a privilege to work with such a talented cast, I’ve no doubt he is absolutely right but, he must personally be given considerable credit for bringing together such an outstandingly entertaining piece of musical theatre.
Miss this one at your peril, it truly is a night you will not forget, incredible musical theatre performed by incredible young talent, my words can only encourage you snap-up what remaining tickets there are before the run finishes on Saturday 21st September 2019.
Book Here
Comments
Post a Comment