Liverpool Sound and Vision rating * * * * *
Photograph by Marc Brenner, used with kind permission by Everyman Theatre.
Cast: Liam Tobin, Kacey Ainsworth, Emma Dears, Paul Duckworth, Keziah Joseph, Dean Nolan, Bryan Parry, Shiv Rabheru, Mark Rice-Oxley.
Musicians: Tarek Merchant, Daisy Evans, Samantha Norman, Alex Smith.
The drama of it all, uncut, unabridged and no shortcuts to be found, the act of the Victorian melodrama turned into the beautiful and urban dance of the macabre, of the chilling expose of unbridled revenge and the ghoulish tale of the bittersweet. Sweeney Todd is as much a part of real life thought as any of the tales of terror that have come through the sensations of criminal activities and the public interest that followed such gruesome acts as the Radcliffe Highway murders and the shockwaves that struck in London during the autumn of 1888, the only difference being is that Sweeney Todd is a tale in morality brought to life, not a subject for the flourishing Police Gazette or the newspapers that revel in the sensational.
Born out of melodrama and yet feeling as true to life as the murders committed by Jack the Ripper, Sweeney Todd perhaps touches something evil inside society in a way that modern takes on the genre cannot reach. The realisation that if pushed, all around us can crumble into barbarism, that we are nothing more than husks to be devoured by the modern machine and those that turn the wheel are ready, salivating to make a living off our bones.
The sense of in depth occasion is never short when it comes to coming forth as a witness to one of Nick Bagnall’s directing masterclasses, a play which has the minute detail examined, of procedure observed and the serenade of interview, of catching each performer as they bring the subtle and gruesome of Victorian danger to life, as if in a microscope which sees the unfolding of life not caught by the naked eye, this reflection of a gone by world is in its own way a powerful mirroring of the society in which we have today. Nick Bagnall trains that microscope on the desperation and burning anger that we have around us, this is no melodrama, no stirring exaggeration, it is a tragedy and it is happening around us now.
It would be folly to attempt to not mention the entire cast in this particular production, to single one person out would not be considerate to the rest as the performance of each person within the cast was of such high quality that it should be regarded as an absolute highlight of the Liverpool theatre year; and yet special mention must be given to both Liam Tobin as the ravaged by guilt and revenge filled Sweeney Todd, and to the incredible Kacey Ainsworth who gives arguably the most energetic and majestic performance as Mrs. Lovett.
Liam Tobin’s reading of the character is such that it surely must be recognised as the actor’s crowning glory in an impeccable career so far. It is to the eyes we look to when we seek validation of an actor’s moment on stage, in the role a certain truth is displayed and the quarrel we have with our inner demon is fought, only in the eyes is such conflict and purity played out and for this Mr. Tobin is to be lauded in the title role of Sweeney Todd.
A remarkable reading of Stephen Sondheim’s classic musical, every moment a chilling feast of brilliance.
Ian D. Hall