Octagon presents Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd

The Octagon Theatre Bolton presents Stephen Sondheim’s epic musical thriller Sweeney Todd. A dark and comic musical; this wonderfully macabre and gruesome story of betrayal, love and bloody revenge promises to be unlike any Sweeney Todd production seen before.

Feathers, dandy boys, sailors and a Jane Russell inspired Mrs Lovett will transform the Octagon stage into a fun-filled theatrical club party where anything could happen… Sweeney Todd has returned home to London having been wrongly deported and robbed of his family by the crooked Judge Turpin. Reunited with his beloved razor, and accompanied by the love-struck pie shop owner Mrs Lovett, he sets about cooking up his own delicious revenge on society. And with business booming, ‘the Demon Barber of Fleet Street’ has plans to put the Judge on the menu.

Director Elizabeth Newman commented on the production: “Imagine this – a Company of performers come together to tell you a legendary tale, and tonight this tale is Sweeney Todd. The drama unfolds in a specially made Night Club – from this production you can expect breath-taking music, great acting and some fetish gear,  as this sexy, sensual, dark and very funny drama not only reveals the desires of Sweeney Todd but also the other characters who are in his musical melodrama!”

Stephen Sondheim is an Oscar and Tony award-winning composer and one of the biggest names in musical theatre. He wrote the lyrics for West Side Story and the music and lyrics for countless shows including A Little Night Music, Company, Follies and Into the Woods. His atmospheric score, packed with sumptuous songs with gloriously gruesome and comic lyrics, will be performed live by a cast of actor-musicians. This professional cast will be joined on stage by a Community Company of talented local performers consisting of both men and women, with ages ranging from 17-79 years of age – a true representation of local community talent on a local stage.

The cast includes Tobias Beer as Sweeney Todd and Ruth Alexander Rubin in the role of Mrs Lovett. Tobias and Ruth last appeared together at the Octagon playing Mr and Mrs Micawber to critical acclaim in Elizabeth Newman’s 2010-2011 festive production of David Copperfield. They will also be joined by actor-musicians Clara Darcy and Barbara Hockaday who both appeared in last season’s production of The Hired Man, which received the TMA Theatre Award for Best Performance in a Musical by an ensemble cast.

Tom Attwood is the Music Director for the production, and will also be appearing on stage in the role of Jonas Fogg. Tom has written music for theatre including: King Lear (Pendley Shakespeare Festival); Ours (Finborough); Origin of the Species (Arcola); Beauty and the Beast (Creation); and piano interludes for Posh (Royal Court).

Sweeney Todd is at the Octagon from 9 June – 2 July 2011. Tickets are from £9.50 on 01204 520661, or at www.octagonbolton.co.uk