By Elizabeth Fitzpatrick
Features Editor
The Demon Barber of Fleet Street visited the Theatre Department on April 3 and 4 in Elm Business and Distribution Manager senior Isabel Bindewald’s directing SCE: “Sweeney Todd.”
The musical version of “Sweeney Todd” is more famous thanks to the 2007 Tim Burton film, but the version produced at Washington College was the non-musical play by C. G. Bond. The play served as the main inspiration for the musical.
Victorian barber Sweeney Todd vows revenge on the jealous Judge Turpin who exiled him from England. Sweeney returns to London to find his wife has died and Judge Turpin has stolen Sweeney’s daughter Johanna. Sweeney soon begins killing all those who have wronged him—plus a few extra—and giving the corpses to his accomplice Mrs. Lovett to turn into pies.
Bindewald chose the show based on a lifelong love of horror and a desire to explore the things that can cause someone to become a monster. She chose “Sweeney Todd” specifically because of an interest in the way the injustice depicted in the play resonated with current events.
“One aspect that I really wanted to touch on was how horror often reflects the fears and anxieties of society,” Bindewald said. “The story of Sweeney Todd is especially relevant to today, as we witness powerful people abusing their power. The characters of Sweeney Todd illustrate the destructive impact which this type of abuse can perpetrate on people.”
Bindewald’s production reimagined the story with Sweeney as a woman, bringing to the forefront themes of the victimization of women and feminine rage. Freshman Amy Tokash beautifully embodied the character of Sweeney Todd; perhaps WC should beware, for Tokash held Sweeney’s razor like a natural. Her flourishes and evil laugh brought the menace to life.
While the show is certainly dark, with all the murder and the exploitation of the working class by those in power, the cast balanced the serious subject matter with much-needed moments of levity.
“It’s kind of a heavy show, but it’s been great to see all the actors find these moments of lightness to get to experience and have fun with,” sophomore Emily Polio, who played Sweeney’s friend Anthony Hope, said.
In addition to laughter, gasps could also be heard from the audience. The Theatre Department is no stranger to fake blood on stage, but the crew of “Sweeney Todd” really stepped up their game to create blood packs that exploded impressively with each death, sending splatters of blood across the stage.
Junior Juliana Santiago said that the blood was her favorite part of the show.
“I liked how they made the blood packs spatter and you could actually physically see the blood coming out of the people, like Sweeney Todd actually had murdered them. I really enjoyed that because in live theatre, especially in collegiate live theatre, it’s pretty difficult to do so or have the resources to do so,” Santiago said.
Several cast members also took on dual roles in the crew and design team. Polio doubled as assistant stage manager and actor, and sophomore Kailey Drain portrayed Johanna onstage and designed the lights.
“All of our designers [were] amazing and were so excited and so ready to bring all of their ideas to the table and I think getting to see all the aspects of the show was really rewarding. It’s been an awesome experience,” Polio said.
The hard work and dedication of everyone involved shone through in the performance.
“It has been amazing to see this show that I have been working on for the past two years come together. There were many moments when I doubted that I would be successful. I am so grateful for everyone’s support and hard work to bring this show to the stage,” Bindewald said.
The final Theatre SCE for the school year will be “Spring Awakening,” an acting SCE by KT Pagano on April 10 and 11.
Photo Caption: Senior Jove Gleason designed the posters for the show.
Photo by Ella Humphreys