Sweeney Todd will be cutting hair as well as slitting throats in an upcoming production of the musical at Victoria's McPherson Playhouse.
To mark opening night of the Victoria On Stage Musical Theatre (VOS) production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Anton Skinner, a backstage crew member at the playhouse, will take a seat in the infamous barber chair to lose his locks for charity.
Skinner has been growing his hair for five years to donate to Wigs for Kids BC, a charity that provides wigs to children experiencing hair loss due to cancer or other life-threatening illnesses.
Alongside his hair donation, Skinner is also raising money for VOS, and has set himself a fundraising target of $5,000.
Described as a valued member of the local theatre community by VOS, Skinner's connection to the local group runs deep: his parents, Colin and Jennifer Skinner, both played pivotal roles in the history of VOS.
"Their contributions helped shape the Victoria theatre community, and Anton has proudly carried on their legacy," said VOS in a news release.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street opens at the McPherson Playhouse on Nov. 22 and runs through Dec. 1. The musical tells the unsettling tale of a Victorian-era barber who returns home to London after 15 years of exile to take revenge on the corrupt judge who ruined his life.
Those in attendance on opening night on Nov. 22, are welcome to stick around after the performance for the gala celebration, featuring Skinner's time in the barber chair.
For more information about the performance and Skinner's fundraiser, visit the website: www.vostheatre.ca.
