Sweeney Todd

Sweeney Todd returns - starring Emma Thompson!

Following the success of productions such as this musical of Sweeney Todd, the ENO is behind a a special semi-opera concert version of Sweeney Todd starring Emma Thompson as Mrs Lovett and Bryn Terfel as the demon barber. READ MORE OR BOOK TICKETS HERE ►

Blood, gore, and plenty of laughs

Sondheim's murderous comedy masterpiece, set in nineteenth century London, features some of Sondheim's most intricate and darkest numbers such as 'The Worst Pies In London', 'Epiphany' and 'The Ballad of Sweeney Todd'. Directed by Jonathan Kent, who won Total Theatre's Best Director for his efforts, and starring Michael Ball as the eponymous barber, this production transferred from a critically acclaimed run at the Chichester Festival.

What is Sweeney Todd about?

Based on a little known story 'The String of Pearls' published in a magazine in 1846, Sweeney Todd tells the story of the demon barber who returns to London to find his estranged daughter and vowing to seek revenge for his false imprisonment along with a heinous assault on his wife leading to her suicide.

With the assistance of Mrs Lovett, a pie maker, Todd returns to his trade as a barber at a shop above the pie shop. Recognised and backed into a corner with the threat of blackmail, Todd kills his first victim, and instantly gains a thirst for blood, despatching his victims through a trap door, straight into the kitchen of Mrs Lovett's pie shop, where she uses the corpses as ingredients for her pies. Though Todd's ultimate aim is to get Judge Turpin, the perpetrator of his incarceration and his wife's demise.

Did you know?

The production went on to be nominated for six Olivier Awards, winning three. Best Musical Revival, Best Actor in a musical, and Best Actress in a musical (Imelda Staunton).