Sweeney Todd

Book by Hugh Wheeler

Irish Times Irish Theatre Awards 2007
Best Opera Production

More than just a musical – a razor-sharp theatrical event!

The Gate was delighted to receive the award for Best Opera Production at The 2007 Irish Times Irish Theatre Awards. One of the greatest and most dramatic musicals of the twentieth century, Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is based on the book by Hugh Wheeler and adapted by Christopher Bond. With music and lyrics by the legendary Stephen Sondheim, it was first produced on Broadway in March 1979 to wonderful critical acclaim.

This razor sharp production was produced by the Gate in 2007 to breathtaking reviews, standing ovations and full houses. The stellar cast included the dynamic duo David Shannon as Sweeney Todd and Anita Reeves as Mrs. Lovett. This award winning musical thriller tells the infamous tale of Sweeney Todd, the victim of a terrible injustice, who forms an enterprising partnership with Mrs Lovett, the proprietress of the downstairs pie shop. The two become conspirators in a dastardly plot with electrifying results.

The cast also includes Lisa Lambe as Johanna, Mark O’Regan as Pirelli, Camille O’Sullivan as Beggar Woman, Simon Morgan as Anthony Hope, Barry McGovern as Judge Turpin, Kenneth O’Regan as Beadle Bamford and Robert Bannon as Tobias, with chorus members Amy Creighton, Killian Donnelly, Andrew Holden, Ruth McGill and Bill Murphy. The talented group of musicians includes Cora Venus Lunny (violin), Susan Doyle (flute/piccolo), Jane Hughes (cello), Conor Sheil (clarinet/bass), Noel Eccles (percussion) and John Walsh (trumpet/flugle), with Cathal Synnott, musical director of the production, on keyboard.

Cast & Creatives

Director:Selina Cartmell
Set Designer:David Farley

Reviews

“…exciting…thoughtful…tragic…witty…entertaining…provoking: a family musical but not as we know it.”
The Sunday Times

“Fantastic…truly wonderful”
RTÉ 1

“A musical to die for…hugely entertaining”
Sunday Tribune

“David Shannon is electric…Anita Reeves…wins the audience’s vote”
Irish Examiner

“Nobody should miss this…brilliant”
Irish Mail on Sunday

“The earth moved. My spine tingled for Ireland…flawless”
Metro

“This is one of those rare musical productions in which all the elements melt together into a perfect whole. A set which matches the decadent magic of Sondheim’s music and lyrics”
Irish Daily Mail

“Terrific fun…”
Irish Independent

“A real winner…a compelling show”
The Event Guide

” “Brilliant…A smashing evening’s entertainment””
RTÉ Lyric FM

” “This production is a miracle…gripping and musically brilliant””
Guardian

” The best musical production I have ever seen…Miss it at your peril””
Gerry Ryan, 2FM

“A must see…superb””
Irish Times