Musical thriller Sweeney Todd has managed to fright and delight audiences with its twisted tale of love, revenge, madness and murder… not to mention some very questionable baking methods! Don"t miss this razor sharp comedy when it opens at the Gold Coast Arts Centre from 28 June - 7 July.
Wrongfully imprisoned by the evil Judge Turpin, Benjamin Barker (played by Rob Guest) returns to London to avenge his wife’s death and rescue his daughter from the judge’s lustful advances. Insane with grief, Benjamin transforms into Sweeney Todd, a bloodthirsty, murderous barber, disposing of his clients with a swift slice of his shaving blade. Tired with the rising price of meat, Sweeney’s sinister partner, the ever-practical Mrs Lovett (played by Mandi Lodge), makes good use of the carcasses in her pie shop. Ironically, Mrs Lovett’s pies are to die for!
Based on the book by Hugh Wheeler, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, the original production of Sweeney Todd opened to sell-out crowds on Broadway in 1979, starring Angela Lansbury and Len Cariou. The musical opened to rave reviews and in the years since, has gone on to win 8 Tony and Grammy Awards. More recently, DreamWorks announced plans to make Sweeney Todd the movie, directed by Tim Burton (Edward Scissorhands, Beetle Juice, Batman) and starring Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter.
Directed and choreographed by internationally-acclaimed director Robert Young, Sweeney Todd stars musical superstar Rob Guest (Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Jekyll & Hyde) as Benjamin Barker and celebrated songstress Mandi Lodge (42nd Street, Lipstick, Blast from the Past), as Mrs Lovett and supported by a talented cast of 31.
Under the creative supervision of musical director Kellie Dickerson, Sweeney Todd features the 29-piece Gold Coast Arts Orchestra playing one of the most complex and unforgettable musical scores ever written, with songs including The Ballad of Sweeney Todd, The Worst Meat Pies in London and God, That’s Good!
A fiendish delight, Sweeney Todd’s dark comedy will satisfy your appetite for humour and horror, although you may never want to eat a meat pie again!
PERFORMANCES: Thursday 28, 29, 30 June & Friday 6, 7 July at 8pm
MATINEE: Saturday 30 June at 2pm TWILIGHT: Thursday 5 July at 6:30pm
TICKETS: Adults $58, Conc. $52, (Conc. Matinee and Twilight $42), Groups 10+ $50
DINNER & SHOW: $78.50 (Dinner at 6pm in the Arts Restaurant, show starts at 8pm)
BOOKINGS: Phone the Box Office on 5588 4000 or visit www.gcac.com.au
