The grisly story of the half-crazed barber was performed by the Kingston Vale Operatic and Dramatic Society.

Orgies, human meat pies and gruesome slaughtering were all on the menu last week as part of Kingston Vale Operatic and Dramatic Society’s (KVODS) gothic rendition of Sweeney Todd at the Arthur Cotterell Theatre in Kingston.  

So it’s not the glamorous and aesthetically pleasing version Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter brought us from Hollywood, but KVODS out-did their “amateur” label, delivering powerful voices in a heart-warming performance. 

Sweeney Todd follows the grisly story of a half-crazed barber, Benjamin Barker (Robert Hamilton), who takes revenge on the sleazy judge (John Wilkinson) who once raped his wife (Helen Geldert), and now plans to marry his daughter Johanna (Alice Gairdner). 

Under the pseudonym of Sweeney Todd, he sets up his practice above a pie shop held by Mrs Lovett (Lizz Brain) and soon enough, his madness drives him not only to kill the judge but every customer, which at once provides a constant flow of fresh meat for Mrs Lovett’s pies. 

Meanwhile, Anthony (Dave Roberts), a young sailor struck by Johanna’s beauty immediately begins to woo her with song. “Johanna” becomes the ballad of the night, and in such an intimate theatre as the Arthur Cotterell (it seated only 270 people) you’d think Roberts was singing for you only. His voice complemented that of his darling Johanna (Gairdner) who performed angelically spine-tingling solos and did justice to the “Operatic” in KVODS.

Sweeney, as played by Hamilton, also has the operatic about him with a booming voice that could shatter an eardrum.  And as Sweeney becomes more desperate and manic in his quest to avenge himself against the ruthless judge, Hamilton becomes ever more powerful in his presence. 

But this musical is not all about the gruesome.  A rather disconcerting orgy is met by amused expressions, whilst Brain’s depiction of the neurotic Mrs Lovett who is obsessed on creating a perfectly distorted life with Sweeney, also goes down well. 

But it is the satirical tone of the script that KVODS interpreted the best.  Pirelli, the rather camp barber in competition with Todd who has his throat slit fairly rapidly, is played by Jeff Raggett who is also the director.  According to the programme: “Jeff does not like being in shows he directs, but every so often small cameos are just waiting and Pitelli is such a one.”  His portrayal tickled the audience sufficiently to lighten the mood of the whole musical.

Plus the audience couldn’t help but giggle when the dodgy wooden construction of the barber’s shop wobbled under the weight of rather rotund body of Hamilton, whilst he belted out a number. The barber’s seat also proved entertaining when “victims” would fall awkwardly through the open flap below to the bake house where Mrs Lovett waited to process the bodies. 

The loud thumps clearly making some members of the audience wonder if injuries were being sustained. It was the kind of production which a friend might be part of, although they’d have to be a talented friend.  
Ultimately, the madness underpinning the story is perfectly achieved with dark humour, and a touch of personality brought to the stage by each member of the cast. 

KVODS will be playing “Smokey Joes Cafe” from 18th – 23rd May 2009 at Kingston Vale Village Hall.
Check out their official website for more information