The Henry Players present: "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street"

I am sorry it took me so long to write this, but I finally got settled down in my room and inspired to write it...

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September 17-20, the Henry Players--the local theatre group in Henry County, Georgia--performed "Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street." Though I will always prefer director Tim Burton's film of the musical, the Henry Players did not disappoint. They left my ears begging for more. Audience members alike should be able to say this is yet another smash-hit by our beloved theatre group.

From the creative mind of Christopher Bond, "Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street" tells the tragic story of a barber by the name of Benjamin Barker who is sent out of London on false charges made by the horrid Judge Turpin. When he returns, 15 years later, he creates the alias "Sweeney Todd" and meets up with his former landlady, Mrs. Lovett, only to discover that his wife poisoned herself after being raped by Turpin. From the moment Sweeney Todd heard this news, he swore he would have his revenge.

Pete Talton, the drama director at Henry County High School, played the part of Sweeney Todd, and played it superbly. Whether his voice was sore from numerous practices, or the dark sound he had was intentional, it fit the part. Talton gave a chilling performance as the demon barber showing a range of expression from dark thrills to gloom of the highest level, leaving me moved with every note he sang and word he spoke. Sarah Anne Pummer, the chorus and drama director at Eagle's Landing High School, performed with Talton as the landlady and pie shop owner, Mrs. Lovett. Not only was she as loony and lovable as Angela Lansbury portrayed the character in 1979, but her magnificent vibrato and inflection in her tone, left me believing she was truly connected to the music and to the emotion of this dark comedy.

To name more, Jacob McKee's portrayal of Tobias Ragg, the young boy that worked for the vendor, Pirelli, and soon became the worker for Mrs. Lovett's Pie Shop, was excellent. He played the part of an innocent young boy with his wits about him and the audience abrupted into loud cheers when he took his bow after curtain fall. And Bob Dotson, the man behind Judge Turpin, left you hating the judge and his perverse mind. Dotson was easily one of my favorites despite my cringing each time he walked across the stage.

Aside from a few misses in notes made by Jose Caballero, who played Anthony Hope, and the overdone wig and makeup on Sophia Decker, who played Johanna. I wish I had had the money to go back and see "Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street" at all four performances.

Next for the Henry Players is casting and rehearsals for their winter performance of "A Christmas Story."