Studley Operatic Society

A Musical Thriller

Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Book by Hugh Wheeler.
From an adaptation by Christopher Bond, Originally directed by Harold Prince.
Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick. Originally produced on Broadway by Richard Barr, Charles Woodward, Robert Fryer, Mary Lea Johnson, Martin Richards in association with Dean and Judy Manos

Unanimously acclaimed by the critics as one of Stephen Sondheim’s most powerful scores, this black comedy concerns the infamous homicidal career of Sweeney, the unjustly exiled barber who returns to 19th century London seeking revenge against the lecherous judge who coveted his young wife and falsely imprisoned him. Cheated of his revenge against the Judge, Sweeney’s thirst for blood soon expands to include his unfortunate customers, and - with the aid of his razor - he exacts a far more terrible revenge, cheerfully helped by Mrs. Lovett, who is delighted to give new life to her flavourless meat pies! Sophisticated, macabre, visceral and uncompromising, Sweeney Todd mixes intense drama with dark humour: - audiences find themselves laughing one moment, and gasping in surprise at the next….

We can’t promise Johnny Depp but we can promise some intriguing twists, turns and surprises ….and some interestingly made pies!

An amateur production presented by arrangement with Josef Weinberger Limited on behalf of Music Theatre International of New York.