MANLY MUSICAL SOCIETY PRESENTS ‘SWEENEY TODD’ @ THE STAR OF THE SEA THEATRE

This was a hugely entertaining musical that enthrals the audience with its depravity, its fabulous lyrics together and the brilliant performances by all the leads and the large ensemble.

This dark story of hatred, is a unique musical and a revenge thriller, with multiple murders delivering so much blood and gore from each throat slitting.  The musicals’ dark themes include a young woman being raped, and a mother and daughter being wrongfully committed to an institution. Just what you expect from the City Of London in that era?!

Benjamin Barker was a barber in 19th-century London, an expert with the cut-throat razor, and was transported to an Australian penal colony by Judge Turpin.  Fifteen years later, and now named Sweeney Todd (Paul Nicholson), Barker moves into his old shop above the pie shop owned by Mrs. Lovett  (Miriam Rihani).

Director Kathryn Thomas has cast leads with great voices.The clever set design combined with dramatic mood lighting for each scene, all work together perfectly to heighten the gruesome atmosphere, both musically and dramatically.

Wonderful period costumes vividly bring this Victorian drama to the stage, and choreographer Rebecca Moore made some great choices that matched each changing mood.

I am a big fan of the Manly Musical Society whose casts and work have always been superb. Add Sweeney Todd to the long list of their hits, and a killer of a production.

This thoroughly rewarding musical created by Stephen Sondheim, makes for an entertaining night out.

Duration of under three hours, including one intermission.

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Performances 7.30pm Friday 19th May to 7.30pm Saturday 27th May 2017
Matinee – Sunday 21 May @ 2.00pm
Matinee – Saturday 27 May @ 2.00pm

Star of the Sea Theatre, Stella Maris College, Corner of Collingwood and Iluka Avenue, Manly

First performance 1st March 1979 on Broadway, and won the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Olivier Award for Best New Musical.

Composer: Stephen Sondheim
Playwright: Patrick Quentin
Lyricist: Stephen Sondheim

Production Team:-
Director: Kathryn Thomas
Musical Director: Stephen Dula
Choreographer: Rebecca Moore
Production Manager: Benjamin Mills
Production Assistant: Issac Downey

Cast:-
Sweeney Todd – Paul Nicholson
Mrs Lovett – Miriam Rihani
Johanna – Julia Stubenrauch
Anthony Hope – Harrison Riley
Judge Turpin – Anthony Mason
The Beadle – Daniel Willis
Beggar Woman – Kelsey Hunter
Pirelli – Tonny Shim
Tobias – Christopher O’Shea
Jonas Fogg – Arie Priebee
Ensemble – Antony Akle
Ensemble – Ashton Williams
Ensemble – Brent Palidwar
Ensemble – Charlotte Bradley
Ensemble – Dylan Carlin
Ensemble – Georgia Ellis
Ensemble – Holly Smith
Ensemble – Max Wallbank
Ensemble – Olivia McGregor
Ensemble – Oscar Kirk
Ensemble – Rebekah Reynolds
Ensemble – Rim Robertson
Ensemble – Thomas Antonio
Ensemble – Victoria Rogers
Ensemble – Yasmin Stelling