By Grace Hatchell 2nd Act Couriers
I knew something was wrong the moment the envelope arrived.
It was heavier than a normal casting announcement, and possibly… warm.
I did briefly consider not opening it. But journalism, as they say, requires bravery, and also curiosity, and also sometimes a willingness to investigate things that may or may not contain pastry.
Inside was news from Birmingham Rep. They’ve found their Mrs. Lovett.
And not just any Mrs. Lovett.
International cabaret whirlwind Meow Meow is officially joining Ramin Karimloo’s Sweeney Todd this summer, which means the pies at Fleet Street are about to become considerably more theatrical.
Now, Mrs. Lovett is a tricky role. She has to be funny without being silly, charming without being trustworthy, and reassuring even while standing next to a man sharpening cutlery for reasons best not asked about. It needs a performer who can look you in the eye, smile sweetly, and convince you everything is perfectly normal while absolutely nothing is.
Which, if you know Meow Meow’s work, sounds suspiciously ideal.
Her career has taken her everywhere from the West End to the Sydney Opera House, and she has a reputation for performances that are equal parts glamorous cabaret and barely-contained chaos. In other words, precisely the energy you want running a Victorian pie shop.
She joins Ramin Karimloo, already announced as Sweeney Todd himself, meaning the barber’s chair will be occupied by a voice capable of rattling the theatre walls while Mrs. Lovett handles the customer service downstairs.
The production is directed by Birmingham Rep’s Artistic Director Joe Murphy and runs from 4 July to 9 August. Further casting is still to come, which I suspect means more unsuspecting Londoners will shortly be offered “a nice hot meal” whether they asked for one or not.
For those unfamiliar, Sweeney Todd tells the story of a barber returning to London after years of wrongful imprisonment. He discovers life has treated him rather poorly and reacts in a calm and reasonable manner.
By which I mean absolutely none of that.
It is dark, funny, dramatic and oddly irresistible, with music by Stephen Sondheim that somehow makes vengeance sound beautiful and a bakery sound slightly dangerous.
Tickets are already on sale, and I would recommend attending. Not because you are curious.
Because if Mrs. Lovett invites you, it’s probably safer to accept.
I’ll keep the satchel locked until opening night.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street comes to The Rep from Saturday 4 July – Sunday 9 August and tickets are on-sale now.
To book simply visit Birmingham Rep at birmingham-rep.co.uk or call the Box Office on 0121 236 4455 (Monday to Friday from 12pm to 6pm. Saturdays 12pm to 6pm, or 4pm if there is no evening performance scheduled).
Grace x
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