There’s something about a scary story that attracts people, even those who hate being scared.
That fundamental truth will be on full display in November as audiences head to the McPherson Playhouse to see VOS Musical Theatre’s presentation of Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
Let’s get something out there, right off the bat. It’s a horrible story.
Set in 19th century London, the musical is based upon a story entitled The String of Pearls: A Romance that was first published in 18 parts as a “penny dreadful,” almost exactly 178 years ago this November.
The tale involved a barber who murdered his customers and his landlady, who helped dispose of the bodies in her own unique, culinary fashion.
Thankfully, the story was entirely fictional, but that hasn’t prevented scores of people from believing that it was based in fact.
The misconception wasn’t helped by the fact that initial stage adaptions of the story were billed as “founded on fact.”
The version being presented by VOS is a slightly more sympathetic version of the story in which the Todd character is given an excuse of sorts for his actions.
He’s a man wrongfully convicted of a crime who escapes an Australian penal colony with plans to seek revenge on the judge who convicted him and subsequently raped Todd’s wife and daughter.
When that plan initially fails, Todd turns his revenge on the rest of humanity and starts slashing the throats of the customers at his barber shop.
Consistent with the original story, he has the help of Mrs. Lovett, his former landlady who creates some savoury meat pies from Todd’s unfortunate victims.
Thankfully, none of this version is based in fact either.
Still, the story has had some staying power.
The original story has inspired no fewer than five movies, several plays, a ballet, a variety of radio and audio plays, more than a dozen television adaptations (including a regrettable episode of Good Eats on the Cooking Channel entitled Oh, My Meat Pie), and was even featured in classic comic books.
So, what about this gruesome horror story has enthralled our imaginations for so long?
Morgan McLeod, the director of the current production, isn’t sure but says he feels that we all tend to have a level of fascination with the darker side of life.
“There are also some really captivating characters in the show,” McLeod says. “And, although the content makes it difficult (for the actors) to find connections with the characters, we have an exceptional cast and they are able to find the dual nature of the characters.”
Sweeney Todd (played by Alex Nicholl) is undoubtably an evil character but, in this version of the story, he has some strong motivations for his initial desire for revenge.
The same duality exists with the judge (played by Nathan Homb) who is undoubtably evil but who has fallen in love with Sweeney Todd’s daughter.
The show also features some amazing music created by Stephen Sondheim and directed in this show by Shannon Tyrrell.
There are some great ensemble pieces (choreographed by Siobhan Barker) featuring complicated melodies and harmonies which, while challenging are delivered flawlessly by the talented cast.
Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street runs at the McPherson Theatre from Nov. 22 to Dec. 1. For tickets, visit rmts.bc.ca.
