Breathtaking Production of Sweeney Todd

Oakham School’s talented actors have delivered a breathtaking rendition of Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. The production, held at our Queen Elizabeth Theatre that has just celebrated its 40th anniversary, combined dazzling performances, comedic excellence, and stunning vocals, earning a standing ovation every night.

Known for its complex score and darkly compelling storyline, Sweeney Todd is no mean feat for any theatre company, let alone a school production, and Oakham’s performers and stage crew rose to the challenge perfectly.

The musical is a dark and gripping tale of revenge, obsession, and moral corruption set in Victorian London. It follows the story of Sweeney Todd, a barber seeking vengeance, and his accomplice Mrs Lovett, who turns his victims into meat pies in Victorian London.

Director Gilly Norell said: “I have wanted to direct Sweeney Todd for a very, very long time. It’s magnificent, the music is phenomenal – a real challenge – and the set is monstrous, so I thought it would be a great choice to celebrate 40 years of the QET.”

Gilly’s vision was fully justified as she brought out the best in her young cast, highlighting their talent while honouring the dark complexity of the source material, to orchestrate such a polished and compelling production.

Form 7 student AJ delivered a gripping portrayal of the titular barber, blending brooding menace with flashes of vulnerability. Opposite him, Lily and Bea, who shared the role of Mrs Lovett, delivered a show-stopping performance, effortlessly balancing humour and pathos.

The supporting cast shone brightly as well. Esther/Eloise’s Johanna was ethereal, her soprano soaring during “Green Finch and Linnet Bird”, while Aiden brought warmth and earnestness to the role of Anthony with fantastic vocals and stage presence. Charlie gave a wonderfully layered and nuanced performance as Tobias, perfectly balancing his youthful optimism with the gradual unravelling of his psyche. Lander’s portrayal of Pirelli was a show-stealing delight. From his grand entrance to dramatic demise, Lander fully embodied Pirelli’s larger-than-life personality with charisma and flair.

The evil duo of Finlay as Judge Turpin and Tom as the Beadle brought a malevolent chemistry to the production with the Beadle’s cunning, almost playful cruelty, balancing with Turpin’s stern and self-righteous hypocrisy. Aggie/Immy as the mysterious Beggar Woman embodied her erratic energy and tragic vulnerability.

The ensemble and live orchestra brought Sondheim’s intricate score to life with precision and emotion, underscoring every moment with haunting beauty under the expert guidance of Musical Director Ewan Stockwell.

Justine Harrison’s set design was both inventive and evocative. The infamous barber chair functioned flawlessly, eliciting a palpable reaction from the audience as Todd dramatically dispatched his victims.

Oakham School’s Sweeney Todd is a testament to the power of school theatre to inspire, challenge, and astonish. Bravo to all involved!