SHOW: Sweeney Todd

Sweeney Todd had very good reasons for turning into the Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

When he was a plain old barber he was cheated out of his wife by the local judge and his sidekick.

Sweeney was framed, and transported to Australia as a convict while the judge brought up his daughter.

Stephen Sondheim's musical version of the famous story begins as the barber arrives back in London thirsting for revenge.

He sets up above Mrs Lovett's pie shop and plots to lure the judge into his chair.

In Opera North's blood-spurting production, it's not just the judge who falls under the razor and into Mrs Lovett's mincing machine.

But thankfully there is a large chorus to provide victims in this dark, gruesome and engrossing tale.

Don't expect an over the top spoof on the lines of Little Shop of Horrors: there is black humour but the overall mood is serious. The show is sung in the operatic style of Les Miserables and while lacking so many good tunes, there is enough to get by.

With some excellent soloists and fine set pieces, Sweeney Todd is a memorable and enjoyable musical.

*Leeds Grand Theatre, tonight and tomorrow 7.15pm, tomorrow 2pm.

Phone 0113 222 6222.

DAVID KNIGHTS