Home / Arts and Entertainment / Sondheim's Sweeney Todd: Dark Fairytale Musical
Sondheim's Sweeney Todd: Dark Fairytale Musical
16 Jul
Summary
- The production leans into dark, gothic humor inspired by fairytales.
- Ramin Karimloo delivers a noble, chilling performance as Sweeney Todd.
- Meow Meow shines as the opportunistic and witty Mrs. Lovett.
Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd, steeped in folklore, is presented with a dark, gothic humor that echoes Brothers Grimm tales. Director Joe Murphy's staging at Birmingham Rep is operatic and rich in detail, with the chorus setting a ghostly tone under icy lighting.
The concrete-grey set, dominated by a tilted Lady Justice, reflects a corrupt legal system. Amidst London's grimy monochrome, period costumes in pastel shades offer a striking contrast. Ramin Karimloo's excellent performance as Sweeney Todd, maintaining a surface calm, belies his murderous rage, lending nobility to the character.
Offsetting Todd's fury is Meow Meow's witty portrayal of landlady Mrs. Lovett, a study in venality. Her cartoonish swagger is matched by tremendous singing, a standard upheld by the entire cast. Despite Sondheim possibly including a few too many songs, the production is a superb and engaging theatrical event.
