Opera Hunter's Punk-Inspired "Sweeney Todd" Set to Thrill Local Audiences
- intouch Magazine
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Opera Hunter is bringing Stephen Sondheim's masterpiece "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" to Warners Bay Theatre this July, reimagined with a gritty punk-rock edge that promises to electrify audiences.
This 2025 revival relocates the classic tale to the rebellious world of late 1970s and early 1980s London, drawing inspiration from punk legends like The Clash and Sex Pistols, with visual aesthetics reminiscent of the recent Cruella films – creating what acclaimed director Zac Smith describes as "Sweeney Todd as you've never seen it before – gritty, stylish, and electrifying."
Award-winning filmmaker and actor Jace Pickard takes on the title role of the vengeful barber, while Bridget Glennie, a graduate of the prestigious Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in the UK, brings "biting humour, charm, and edge" to the role of Mrs. Lovett.
The principal cast includes rising talent Maeve Collins as Johanna, Archer Nicholas-Canning as Anthony, Francesco Bertoni as Judge Turpin, and Dom Lacey as The Beadle. They're supported by an impressive ensemble of 23 local performers.
"This is the kind of theatre that should hit you in the chest. I want people leaving the theatre buzzing – disturbed, delighted, and desperate to talk about what they've just seen," says Smith.
“The production features musical direction by Mat Gallimore, assistant direction by Billy Styles, choreography by Silvia Martinez, costume design by Coralie Lewis, and accompaniment by Alex McCann. A live orchestra will bring Sondheim's complex, thrilling score to life with "raw, unrelenting energy."
Smith and Gallimore, the acclaimed team behind Opera Hunter's award-winning productions of She Loves Me, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, and Sondheim on Sondheim, are raising the stakes with this darkly dazzling musical that explores themes of revenge, greed, and corruption.
Whether you're familiar with the twisted tale or experiencing it for the first time, this punk-fueled version promises an unforgettable theatrical experience.
Performances run from 11 to 20 July. Book tickets online now at www.stickytickets.com.au
