In a cut throat world Blog is the very best
Sweeney Todd Bath Light Operatic Group Theatre Royal Bath
When you think back only a few years and remember the kind of plays and shows that amateur groups were performing, it is amazing to see how things have developed.
The best of them are not only often equal to a professional production but often a good deal better.
If you had wandered in off the street to Tuesday night's production of Stephen Sondheim's musical thriller Sweeney Todd playing all week at the Theatre Royal you'd never have guessed it wasn't a professional touring production.
But then if you are investing huge sums of money in a show, which these days you have to if you want it to look as good as it sounds, there is no point in putting on a second rate show.
People who are used to seeing the best in the world on TV simply aren't going to settle for it. And this is the best.
For this earlier than usual autumn production, the Bath Light Operatic Group has returned to the late 1970s for what's still considered by many to be Sondheim's best show. Whether it's luck or judgement I don't know, but it won't have done any harm that the show has been re-popularised by the recent Tim Burton film.
If it's luck then Blog deserves every bit of it for putting on what they must know, even this early in the week, is one of the company's best ever shows.
Because the show is so demanding they have two sets of principal actors and on Tuesday we had Tristan Carter and Petra Schofield as the murderous Sweeney and his mad accomplice Mrs Lovett. They were never short of utterly convincing throughout what is, after all, very difficult music to perform.
While almost any of the key players could give up their day jobs tomorrow and be fairly sure of finding work, I have a sneaking feeling that Jill Kelly as the mad old harlot may get ever closer during the week to actually stealing the whole show. She was cackle, perfect throughout the whole evening.
So, forget the film and even forget that you may not be mad about Sondheim. I doubt you will see, or will have seen, a better musical than this all year.
Book a ticket before they all go on 01225 448844.
Christopher Hansford
2 Comments
by KATY, bath
Monday, September 21 2009, 10:34AM
“the reviews in the Chronicle, Evening Post, the Wiltshire Herald, the NODA representative and the standing ovations for the principals on the night I was in clearly supports the view that this was indeed a superb show and that's the beauty of reviews is that it is one persons opinion over another - no one is telling you what to think, so it's ok to side with BODS and Zenith - and there has always been enough sour grapes between the two groups to run a West Country vineyard! well done to everyone in all groups who keep theatre alive and continually produce work of a high standard - you should be very proud and support each other as much as possible and put the grapes to bed.”
by David Smith, Bath
Thursday, September 17 2009, 8:46AM
“Certainly a good show but sorry Chris, have definitely seen better amateur shows this year and the year still isn¿t over yet! Oliver and Chess performed by BODS and Zenith youth respectively, still have the edge by some considerable margin!
I am an avid supporter of local theatre groups and certainly Sweeney Todd in terms of BLOG shows is the best thing I have ever seen them do. However, I recognise very few of the principles and the ensemble have very little to do ¿ perhaps this is why they have suddenly made a leap forward? A few bits will leave you laughing for all the wrong reasons ¿ look out for the boat at the beginning ¿ the principles looked equally awkward! Similarly, the throat cutting clearly looked more like chest cutting/shoulder.
Todd and Mrs.Lovett, played by Tristan and Petra (Wed eve), worked really well together and certainly added some gloss to the production. The set, costumes, lighting and sound were all a significant improvement upon previous productions and it is certainly worth a look!”