Picture: Georges Antoni
Award-winning Australian-born artist Meow Meow will play Mrs Lovett opposite West End and Broadway star Ramin Karimloo in the eagerly anticipated Birmingham Rep production of Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler’s multi-award-winning musical thriller Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
Part of director Joe Murphy’s first season as artistic director of Birmingham Rep, the new production which has been designed by Elin Steele is due to play the Birmingham venue from 4 July to 9 August.
Commenting on the production, Meow Meow said: “I can’t wait to hurl myself into the dubious deliciousness and dangerous world of Sweeney Todd with Joe Murphy, Ramin Karimloo and the gang at Birmingham Rep. Heady days ahead!”
The Rep’s artistic director, the production’s director, Joe Murphy added: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Meow to the cast. Mrs Lovett demands a performer with impeccable comic timing, musical command and a taste for the macabre – and she delivers all of that in spades. Her genius brings a thrilling theatrical edge to Sweeney Todd and our audiences are in for something truly special.”
Further casting and the full creative team will be announced in the coming weeks.
The original 1979 Broadway production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street won eight Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Book, Best Score and Best Direction for Hal Prince. The production starred Len Cariou as Todd and Angela Lansbury as Mrs Lovett.
Based on Christopher Bond’s 1973 play Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, the first West End production which opened at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in the summer of 1980 starred Denis Quilley and Sheila Hancock. The production won the 1980 Olivier Award for Best New Musical.
Angela Thomas
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