We would eat pies with Sweeney Todd.

Fact .As long as Sweeney Todd was always played by Michael Ball.

We went to see this show not expecting to be overwhelmed by it. Let's face it, for starters it's a Stephen Sondheim special, and as much as he's known for composing the odd catchy tune, on the whole Sondheim productions always feel as if they are trying too hard to be witty. Just our humble opinion. Secondly, we'd seen the gorgeous, marvellous, sexy Johnny Depp as Sweeney in the film version - and were left a bit cold, which is unspeakable really, as Johnny can do no wrong. Thirdly, Sweeney was the show we missed when it was in its original home at Chichester, because we went to have our nails done (can't believe how utterly girly that sounds) not realising we had tickets for a matinee rather than an evening show. So part of us believed we were fated never to see it.

That's until we got ourselves a couple of bargain tickets for the front row and sat ourselves down to take in the spectacle that was Sweeney Todd at the Adelphi Theatre.
The following is the account of how we fell in love with the Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

Michael Ball in eyeliner. Who knew our twinkly, dimply Michael could be so sinister and sexy??? Not us. He growled. He snarled. He was bitter, contemptuous, remorseless and clearly dangerous to know, yet you couldn't help but fall in love with him. We were right there with Mrs Lovett. His performance was like a masterclass in how to do Musical Theatre - it really was that faultless. He was very spitty, mind you, and we wonder if there were a fair few front row seats empty for this very reason...much as we heart Michael, we were happy to be at the side away from the splash zone.  But we forgive him, because the spitting song - "Epiphany"- was utterly amazing.  With a Balsamo-esque long note too. Bravo sir. 

Imelda Staunton was a revelation as well. Not necessarily known as an MT performer but she injected just the right amount of humour into Mrs Lovett: a bit daft, a bit dappy, a touch of the Mrs Overalls about her -  but doesn't miss a trick and utterly remorseless when it came to filling her pies. The perfect foil for Sweeney. It was at this point we realised what the film version lacked: humour. It was just dark and humourless. This stage version was still dark and sinister, but it had a little 'snigger' running all the way through it, and a few proper belly laughs as well. "Beside the Sea" and "A Little Priest" had the audience chortling away, as did Sweeney merrily slashing and despatching victim after hapless victim whilst singing "Johanna" so beautifully.  All this without once losing sight of the fact that this man Sweeney and this woman Mrs Lovett, regardless of their motives, were two vile characters. Yet lovable. A real dichotomy that made the show even more interesting.

Lucy May Barker as Johanna and Luke Brady as Anthony were like a breath of fresh air; suitably in love and earnest and naive to the wicked ways of the world. James McConville was Toby...almost uncomfortable to watch - but we reckon it was completely intentional and utterly believable. Peter Polycarpou was great, if a little wasted in the role of the Beadle, and Judge Turpin - well, so hateful that if Sweeney hadn`t finally despatched him to the oven, we are sure many an audience member would have volunteered.  We were also lucky enough to see Jason Manford as Pirelli and he was, as was quite frankly the entire cast, absolutely brilliant.  Adam Pearce must surely have his own penthouse dressing room at the Adelphi by now?  Such a stalwart cast member always.

But what really did it for us was the staging. It was clever, imposing, witty...and central to proceedings was Sweeney's barbers chair and Mrs Lovett's oven. It was all very macabre. There were blades glinting and gleaming under the lights, blood spurting when throats were casually slashed, running water on stage, light and shadows in abundance. There wasn't a single second on that stage when  something or someone didn't totally capture your attention.

Ah yes, but it's still a Sondheim musical, c'est pas? Mais oui. Yet we found ourselves loving every last note (and humming the songs a whole two weeks after the event) and not wanting the music to stop. Had it not been for the fact the show was over and we needed to get home before turning into pumpkins, we would have gladly seen the entire show all over again, there and then. So instead we're planning on going back before it sadly closes in September and will be getting the soundtrack.

This show is bloody marvellous and worth every single penny so go. If you have the chance, go and marvel. It is fabulous. Granted, we saw it having seen 'Ghost' on the same day and being less than impressed so that may have slightly swayed us...but naah. Sweeney Todd is a feast for the eyes, ears and intellect. We find ourselves loving Michael Ball even more than before and have a new appreciation of all things Sondheim. All in all a fab night out!