Sixth form drama students from King William’s College staged the gothic tale of ’Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street’ as their school play.

Set in the dark, smoky streets of Victorian London, the dreaded barber of Fleet Street, Sweeney Todd, sought his victims whilst plotting his revenge against his mortal enemy, aided by his cackling sidekick, Mrs Lovatt.

Christian Cooper was outstanding in the lead role, cutting an incredibly intense and terrifying figure as the brooding, rage-filled murder.

He played the role with a chilling, cold-eyed and brutal energy, and was matched by a wonderful performance by Elina Keig as the besotted pie-maker, cheerfully and ruthlessly disposing of Todd’s victims in her kitchens.

Their song, ’A Little Priest’, where they discuss who would make the best pies crackled with dark humour and was a joy to listen to, as was Christian’s delivery of ’Johanna’.

The judge, played with a leering sneer by Angus MacLeod, met his doom at the hands of Todd, and was dispatched into the kitchens, thanks to some ingenious and creative set design.

Also featuring was Chess Warren, who played the mad beggar woman who knew more than she let on, and Bobby Bostrom, who played the weasly Beadle, the right-hand-man of the corrupt judge.

The songs of the famous Stephen Sondheim score were delivered by the cast and chorus with considerable skill, and the excellence of the production was enhanced by the make-up and costumes.