The show stars Michael Ball who has lost more than 2 stone for the role of Sweeney together with Imelda Staunton.  Ball says he and his leading lady have "developed a telepathic connection, working together" and credits her with helping him to raise his game saying, "She’s the consummate actress and I wanted to be in her league".

He pursued Stephen Sondheim for the role and the composer saw the show last Friday and delayed his return to the U.S. to see it a second time. Apparently he considers the Chichester Sweeney to be a landmark production and would like it, and its two stars, to go to New York.

However, first it will transfer to the Adelphi Theatre and along with the transfer a new recipe for the pies is to be found.  Currently the grisly looking pies are filled with sweetcorn and spicy tomatos and the performers have to eat 3 pies during one of the numbers but complaints about the taste means a new concoction is being looked for!

Directed by Jonathan Kent, Sweeney Todd has been described as one of the best productions to come out of Chichester in recent years.

Here are some review of the Chichester Festival production:

'Triumphant pairing and performances of Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton' - *****, Daily Express

'dark, wild and truthful... Imelda Staunton as Mrs Lovett is fabulously funny' - *****, The Times

'thrilling... wickedly funny' *****, The Guardian

'riveting, close-up thriller' '*****, Sunday Times

'Imelda Staunton is a comic triumph...Michael Ball is an unexpected revelation...he sings with bravura passion' *****, Sunday Express

'Michael Ball...couldn't be better as this insatiable serial killer...Imelda Staunton is in show-stopping form' *****, The Mail on Sunday

Tickets will be on sale soon so keeping checking here for further updates!

[posted by Louise, 07/11/2011]

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