YouTube is recommending some strange things lately, but in amongst the oddities, there are a few true gems. This, a production by the students of the JJ Pearce High School in Richardson, Texas, of Stephen Sondheim's "Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street" was one such gem.
Performed by high school students - ie: they can be a maximum of 18 years' old - this was a hugely ambitious undertaking. It is September 2015, and the cameras point at the stage of the Pearce Theatre in Richardson. The band, all again school students are hidden underneath the minimalist set. A cleverly designed platform with staircases either side sits on the central revolve. The rest of the stage is left bare. Right from the start we are given the impression that this is not going to be a laugh-a-minute farce. It's grim, dark and dank. The opening chords are played, a high shrill screech from the band and the chorus advance on the audience not inviting us, but forcing us to "attend the tale of Sweeney Todd".
This was a highly proficient production. Knowing the musical so well, I did notice a few changes here and there to accommodate the direction, age and sensitivities of cast and potential audience, and action, but it worked well enough and nothing was spoilt because of the changes.
And what's more, this was a school in Texas, a state known for it's individual and recognisable accent / drawl; and yet everyone on stage tried their hardest, and in most cases succeeded very well, at speaking an English accent - something which Americans are notoriously awful at. [mind you, they probably laugh just as much at our attempts at their accents too!]. However, full credit needs to be given to Shelby Grimswold (Mrs Lovett) for not only getting an English accent, but having an excellent stab at the local London accent too, and it sounded very good indeed.
I had only two - extremely small - negative criticisms with this show. One, I would have liked a larger ensemble / chorus. It looked quite small and insignificant on such a large stage. And secondly, I didn't think Pirelli's costume was correct. It looked more like a Regency fop.
To say that all the cast were good would be a simple understatement. They all had a superb grasp of their characters and how their characters fit in with the plot and their individual character arcs and developments. It was most rewarding to watch. John Adam Jovicich was a most able and sympathetic Anthony; Claire Greenburg impressed as Johanna; Trevor Norris was a most personable Toby; and Kenadi Paredes was a very convincing old hag as Lucy. However special mention must be given to Jack Durham whose gravelly rasping voice and gruff mannersims were absolutely spot-on for Judge Turpin; and the two protagonists, Shelby Griswold (Mrs. Lovett) and Sam Snyder (Sweeney Todd) [both pictured above] were absolutely excellent; the chemistry between them was amazing and the energy and dedication they gave to creating their respective characters was just mind-blowing. Absolutely amazing!
Somewhat belated congratulations to the whole team. I'd have loved to have been in the audience for this.
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 15/6/20
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