The Stage

Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Published Thursday 11 March 2004 at 13:15 by Roy Martin

Although Stephen Sondheim’s musical thriller has previously made it to Covent Garden arguably it works best in an intimate space like the Watermill.

For although the 18th century London underworld is the backdrop, it is basically the story of one wronged man whose thirst for revenge just pushes him further into nihilism.

It is amazing how much lyricism Sondheim manages to get into the death-filled scenario vividly visualised in John Doyle’s production. Sometimes in the past his stage images have run away with him but here everything is lucid and purposeful. A notable feature of his design is a kind of Welsh dresser containing the tools of Sweeney’s trade.

The title role is firmly characterised and resonantly sang by Paul Hegarty and Karen Mann relishes her part of Mrs Lovett - you can almost hear her lips sacking as she contemplates the business possibilities of combining murder with pie-making.

Doyle is again working fruitfully with his regular musical partner Sarah Travis and his excellent company of actor/musicans do him proud.