The horrific tale of a murderous, cut-throat barber and his devilish partner-in-crime will be the subject for this year’s play by the drama students at an island high school.

Actors from King William’s College will perform their version of ’Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street’ next week at the Kings Court Theatre, between Tuesday 6 and Thursday 8 March, from 7pm.

Directed by David Dawson, with make-up by Jude Fullerton and Janet Norris and music by Steve Laykin, the play features Christian Cooper in the role of the murderous, cut-throat razor-wielding barber, and Elina Keig as Mrs Lovatt, who becomes his accomplice.

David said that the play, which is the fourth show he has directed, and the first musical show that he has undertaken for the school, is a suitably grisly take on the tale, even if it has been released as a ’schools’ version’.

’It’s a tale about a barber who seeks revenge,’ said David.

’He is sent off to Australia, and when he returns, he finds the judge who sentenced him has kidnapped his daughter. On top of that, his wife has supposedly committed suicide.

’Todd then goes on revenge to try and kill the judge, and also ends up killing a few people on the way.

’He is helped by his neighbour Mrs Lovatt, who decides to dispose of the bodies by baking his victims into pies.

A lot of work has gone into recreating the grimy streets of Victorian London, and also the kitchens, where the unfortunate victims are turned into lunch.

’Although we don’t have any blood effects, largely to spare the costumes, we do have some great stage effects,’ said David.

’The barbers chair drops the victims through the stage. It is a good seven foot drop, and we have about five people who end up falling down through there.

’We also have an oven that burns with a smoke effects.

’It all goes together to makes a really gruesome story.’

Tickets for the play are £8 for adults and £4 for students, and are available from ticketsource.co.uk/kingwilliamscollege

by Mike Wade

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