Sweeney Todd (Chichester)

I can only assume that Kent wanted to show that the desire for revenge, corrupt judges and human brutality will always be with us but it’s a move that doesn’t really enhance the piece. Despite the incongruities, however, Anthony Ward‘s design, with the orchestra placed behind an array of broken windows behind a steel walkway, adds to the air of menace.

The main interest was always going to be the Chichester debuts of Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton. Ball, looking disconcertingly like Ricky Gervais, is a brooding, saturnine presence and gives a compelling portrait of a man driven insane by thoughts of revenge. I’m not sure that his voice quite generates the right amount of malevolence but he certainly is a menacing presence.

But it’s Staunton’s performance that is the true highlight of the evening. She wrings every ounce of humour from the rapacious Mrs Lovett, switching nimbly from the grotesque coquette to the bloodthirsty businesswoman dreaming of building her fortune on human flesh. Her duet with Ball on “A Little Priest” is the show’s highlight, drawing on Sondheim’s witty rhyming and Staunton’s relish for her business plan.

There’s decent support too from John Bowe as the villainous judge with Peter Polycarpou as his sidekick but neither of the young lovers, Lucy May Barker and Luke Brady really convinces. There is some powerful ensemble singing however.

There was certainly a warm reception. The cast received rapturous applause at the end, Staunton deservedly so. It looks like Chichester has a big hit on its hands.

– Maxwell Cooter