Sheffield Star - May 31 2007
Sheffield Teachers’ Operatic Society’s bold decision to stage Sondheim’s darkly comic melodrama at Kelham Island is an inspired choice that also proves the production’s undoing.
For while the 19th century brickwork and windows that look like they were last cleaned for Victoria’s jubilee week add to the atmosphere of foreboding as night falls, there’s a major problem as the sound ascends into the steel rafters above the audience.
That means that much of the brilliance of the Sondheim lyrics is completely lost, a tragedy in what, one suspects, would otherwise be one of the finest non-professional shows of the year and certainly one of the bravest.
It’s a major flaw but, that apart, there’s still a great deal to admire in Keith Arrowsmith’s extremely simple treatment of a pitch-black classic, with some outstanding musical direction from Andrew Griffiths at the head of a small but effective ensemble of just six musicians.
Martin Peacock brings a calm, sombre authority to his tortured Demon Barber, not so much a Victorian serial killer as a man tormented by a tragic secret, the key to which is held by Sarah Buckley’s outstanding Beggar Woman.
The one member of cast who has no problems filling the Kelham void, of course, is Judi Johnson-Hart as the marvellously scheming Mrs Lovett, a splendidly Penny Dreadful creation who would be equally at home in pantomime or a slasher movie.
And there’s particularly fine work from Gareth Davies as the young innocent who stumbles on the horrible truth, a fine tenor voice and an engaging stage presence.
The sound problem may make this an occasionally hard piece to keep up with but stick with it for ultimately this is a challenging and rewarding night of exceptional musical theatre.
Sheffield Telegraph - 01 June 2007
Great show, astute production by Keith Arrowsmith and first-rate performances – pity about the venue!
It was extremely courageous of Sheffield Teachers to even consider mounting Sondheim’s musical thriller and they succeeded brilliantly.
Martin Peacock didn’t brood too much as the vengeful Todd, which probably made him that bit more scary. He’s a good actor (his main ‘profession’) and has a highly respectable baritone singing voice.
Epiphay was superbly done, as well as A Little Priest with Mrs Lovett, played by Judi Johnson-Hart, who turned in a fine performance.
The Worst Pies in London was suitably deadpan when you could hear it and By the Sea leant nicely to coquettishness.
The Tobias of Gareth Davies was outstanding, as was Sarah Buckley’s demented Beggar Woman. Phil Birkett as Anthony and Monica Vakil, a sweetly innocent Johanna with a rather good soprano voice, were excellent.
Mark Pollard’s Pirelli, Anthony Bagshaw’s Judge Turpin, shorn of Mea Culpa, Phillip Probert’s Beadle and conductor – young Andrew Griffiths who clearly knows his Sondheim – were all admirable.
What wasn’t was the swimming bath acoustic which rendered a goodly amount of the show inaudible. So much is lost and it helps to know what you’re missing.
In the middle of road chaos which represents a building site, the venue was almost inaccessible too. The seating’s decidedly uncomfortable as well.
