Murderous barber Sweeney Todd is heading to Cambridge University for a new adaptation of the musical thriller.
Cambridge University Amateur Dramatic Club will perform Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at the ADC Theatre this March.
Performances take place from Wednesday, March 13 to Saturday, March 23 at 7.45pm, excluding Sunday, with matinée performances at 2.30pm on both Saturdays and Thursday, March 21.
To book tickets go to https://www.adctheatre.com/sweeney.
After being sent away to prison by the lustful Judge Turpin, Sweeney Todd returns to London in search of revenge.
He quickly crosses paths with pie shop owner Mrs Lovett, and they create a mutually beneficial relationship: with Sweeney practising his murderous ways in his barbershop and Mrs Lovett turning the butchered customers into pies.
However Sweeney does not forget his plan for revenge on the judge who sent him away.
Every element of the production, including set and costume design, stage crew and creatives, is being run by Cambridge University students.
Director Em Sparkes said: "Directing a production of 'Sweeney Todd' has been a long-term dream of mine!
"As a massive Sondheim fan, getting to tackle such a brilliant score and inject my own influence into the show has been simultaneously so exciting and fulfilling.
"I’ve chosen to take the show in a more naturalistic, 'gritty' direction, and playing around with ensemble breath and movement in a show that typically has less stylised movement has been a lot of fun.
"I’ve been so impressed with how hard the company have worked since our first rehearsal.
"The cast and crew of the show have blown me away with how dedicated they have been to realise our vision for the show (and yes, we will have a working barber’s chair)!"
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The character Sweeney Todd first appeared in serialised penny dreadfuls between 1846 and 1847, and his story was turned into a play before the ending had even appeared in print.
Christopher Bond gave Sweeney Todd a backstory and motivation in his 1970 play, which was then adapted into the musical.
The production is suitable for ages 12 plus.
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