7.45pm 13th – 17th October 2009

Saturday matinee 2.30pm

[NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN UNDER 12]

S T E P H E N S O N D H E I M ’ S

S T A L B A N S O P E R A T I C S O C I E T Y

SWEENEY TODD The Demon Barber of Fleet Street – a version of the Musical Thriller.Music & lyrics by STEPHEN SONDHEIM. Book by HUGH WHEELER. From an adaptation by CHRISTOPHER BOND. Originally directed by HAROLD PRINCE.

Originally produced on Broadway by Richard Barr, Charles Woodward, Robert Fryer, Mary Lea Johnson, Martin Richards in association with Dean & Judy Manos.This amateur production is presented by arrangement with JOSEF WEINBERGER LIMITED on behalf of MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL of NEW YORK.

THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET

A MUSICAL THRILLER

West Side Story ‘06

South Pacific ‘09West Side Story ‘06

Anything Goes ‘07

42nd Street ‘08

Man of la Mancha ‘07

ENTERTAINING ST ALBANS FOR NEARLY 60 YEARSJoin in the fun – www.saos.org.uk

SOME OF OUR RECENT SHOWS

Pirates of Penzance ‘08 Anything Goes ‘07

Executive committeePresident: Mary Myers Chairperson: Samantha CrossTreasurer: Michael Readman Secretary: Penny Grey

Members: Jo Coleman, Helen Davies, Matthew Gregory, Kathy Pilkinton, Julia Smith, Linda Van Wieringen

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St Albans Operatic Society is an Amateur Society Charity Reg. No. 295795The Object of the Society is to educate the public in the operatic, dramatic and musical arts.Affiliated to the National Operatic and Dramatic Association.www.saos.org.uk

Directed by Alan Cox Musical Direction by Philip Joslin

£2.00

WELCOME TO ST ALBANS OPERATIC SOCIETY’S PRODUCTION OF SWEENEY TODD, the

Demon Barber of Fleet Street.We are proud to present this award-winning show with lyrics

and music composed by Stephen Sondheim and book written by Hugh Wheeler. This

infamous story, set in Victorian London, tells the tale of heartbroken barber Benjamin Barker

who, under the alias of Sweeney Todd, sets out on a course of revenge.

Once again, the calibre of our principal performers is

extremely high, but everyone involved, both on stage and

off, has worked very hard to bring this show to life. It is a

dark tale, but laced with wit and humour throughout and I

hope you enjoy watching it as much as we have

thoroughly loved putting it together!

Samantha Cross

Chairperson

For everyone’s enjoyment

Please be aware that a gun shotwill be heard during Act 2.

We want you to enjoy this evening’sperformance to the full, so as acourtesy to both audience and cast:

• Switch off all mobile phonesand pagers.

• Do not use cameras, videocameras or recording equipmentof any kind.

Thank you for your co-operation.

Attend the the tale...

120 LONDON RD, ST ALBANS AL1 1NX

For the best haircut in town visit...

Act 1Citizens of London open the tale with the Ballad of Sweeney Todd that later echoes throughout the piecedescribing Sweeney’s state of mind and his revengeful purpose. Anthony and Benjamin Barker arereturning by ship to London (No place like London). Anthony is young and enthusiastic, but Barker isuneasy as he relays the tragic story of his transportation for a crime he didn’t commit (The barber andhis wife). A Beggar Woman seeks money and is sent on her way. Barker searches out his old barber’sestablishment on Fleet Street above Mrs Lovett’s Meat Pies shop, where trade is not good (The worstpies in London). She recounts the tale of the former occupant and Judge Turpin’s cruel actions towardshis wife Lucy (Poor thing). As Barker cries out, Mrs Lovett realises it his him. Now known as SweeneyTodd, she reunites him with his beloved razors (My friends). She tells him Lucy poisoned herself and thathis daughter, Johanna, is now the Judge’s ward. He swears revenge.

Elsewhere, Anthony has noticed young Johanna singing at the window (Green Finch). He isimmediately smitten, but is warned off by the Beadle and the Judge (Johanna).Meanwhile, Todddiscovers a renowned ‘Italian’ barber, Pirelli, selling a hair-loss cure (Pirelli’s Miracle Elixir). Hechallenges Pirelli to a shaving and tooth-pulling contest with the Beadle as judge (The contest).Winningeasily, he invites the Beadle to visit his parlour. The plan is hatched to lure the Judge to the barber’s shopto exact revenge. Sweeney is impatient, as the Beadle does not come (Wait). An excited Anthony bursts inand tells of his romance with Johanna. Mrs Lovett and Sweeney see a way of tempting the Judge to hisparlour and agree to let Anthony hide her there. Pirelli appears with Tobias. He reveals himself as Barker’sold assistant. He attempts to blackmail Todd, who is in no mood to acquiesce and kills him. Tobias is kepton by Mrs Lovett to help in the shop.

Judge Turpin tells Johanna he will marry her. Revolted, Johanna and Anthony agree to elope(Kiss me). The Beadle advises the Judge to improve his appearance by a visit to a barber (Ladies andtheir sensitivities).With the Judge in the chair, Todd is all ready to exact revenge (Pretty women) whenAnthony interrupts to reveal his plan. The Judge is incensed and swears never to return. Furious at this,Todd curses all of society as Mrs Lovett looks on (Epihpany). Still, the body of Pirelli needs to be disposedof and Mrs Lovett has a plan, her meat pies will no longer be so inedible… (A Little Priest)

Act 2Mrs Lovett’s pie shop is now a huge success with its secret ingredients (God that’s good), but the BeggarWoman keeps shouting accusations. Johanna has disappeared. As Anthony searches for her Todd reflectsthat he has lost her forever whilst dispensing of a number of customers, who will never be missed,straight to the cellar (Johanna).Mrs Lovett dreams of her future with Todd (By the sea). Anthonydiscovers Johanna has been hidden in Fogg’s asylum and plans with Todd to rescue her (Wigmaker’ssequence). Todd informs the Judge of the plan (The letter), hoping to lure him back to his barber’s shop.Tobias has begun to suspect Todd and promises to protect Mrs Lovett (Not while I’m around).When hespots Pirelli’s old purse, she locks him in the cellar. The Beadle arrives to investigate the foul smells andsmoke from the pie shop (Parlour songs). Todd gives him a free, final shave. In the cellar, Tobias hasdiscovered the grim truth and tries to escape.

At the asylum, Anthony finds and rescues Johanna, setting free the other inmates (City on fire). Theyreturn to the barber shop, where Todd and Mrs Lovett are looking for Tobias (Searching). Johanna hidesand the Beggar Woman enters to find Todd to tell him about Mrs Lovett. But the Judge arrives and with notime, Todd has to kill her. Once Todd satisfies the Judge that Johanna will return, he sits down for his freeshave. Todd duly reveals his true identity (The Judge’s return) and finally exacts his revenge. A screamfrom Mrs Lovett draws him to the cellar where, from the light of the oven, he recognises the face of theBeggar Woman as that of his wife, Lucy. Though Mrs Lovett protests she did not lie, Todd attacks her andkills her (The Final Sequence). Tobias emerges from his hiding place, lost in grief at Mrs Lovett’s death.He seizes Todd’s razor and kills him. The company sing the final Ballad of Sweeney Todd – revenge lieswithin us all.

Alan Cox – DirectorAlan has worked with numerous local societies both as a Director and asa Musical Director, but this is his first production for St Albans OperaticSociety.

He has directed numerous productions for Watford Operatic Societyat the Palace Theatre including: Fiddler on the Roof, The Boyfriend,Cabaret, Mack & Mabel, Sweet Charity, West Side Story, Kiss me Kate!,Annie and Chess.

Alan is currently the chairman of the Pump House Theatre Company in Watford, where hehas also directed numerous plays. He has also directed many of their award winning dramafestival productions. September in the Rain, A Coupla White Chicks Sitting Around Talking andFool for Love – all won copious awards, including Best Director. The Indian wants the Bronxwent on to represent England at the British finals of the All England Drama Festival in Falkirk,Scotland. More recently, April in Paris won no less than fifteen various awards on its travelsthroughout the country, culminating in a performance at the all winner’s festival in Halifax.Alan has also been invited, on numerous occasions, to adjudicate the Bushey and South WestHerts Drama Festival.

This is Alan’s third association with Sweeney Todd. Over twenty years ago he played the roleof Tobias in the Pump House production and also directed the show for Cassio Operatic sixyears ago. It remains one of his all time favourite shows and he is delighted to have theopportunity of directing again this truly unique and exciting piece of musical theatre.

Alan has thoroughly enjoyed working with SAOS and would like to take this opportunity ofthanking everyone involved in Sweeney for working so extraordinarilyhard on the production, and for making him feel so welcome.

Philip Joslin – Musical DirectorPhilip is delighted to be returning to SAOS to MD Sweeney Todd.Philip has most recently musically directed, My Fair Lady, Fiddler onthe Roof (RLOS) Sweeney Todd (PIT Productions), The Mikado*,Yeomen of the Guard* and Gondoliers* (ALGSS), Me and My Girl

(Cassio), 42nd Street (SAOS), Pippin (Panda Players). Philip has re-orchestrated, for smallerforces, five of the G&S Operettas (including those asterisked), which have been usedworldwide by numerous different companies. RLOS’ next production will feature the premierof his Iolanthe orchestration.

Philip is the co-founder of Putting It Together Productions, a group formed to presentconcerts of shows with their original full orchestration, for charity. Its inaugural event,Sweeney Todd, was staged this year at the Watford Colosseum and raised £4000 for MissingPeople and the Watford Peace Hospice.

Philip occasionally appears on-stage. Recent roles have included Nanki-Poo with PHEOS,Ferrando with Chambermade Opera and Don Jose, Hillingdon Choral Society.

Future productions include Princess Ida (ALGSS) in January 2010 at the Palace Theatre,Watford, and the King and I for SAOS.

The Place: London: Fleet Street and surrounding areasThe Time: The Nineteenth Century

Matthew Gregory – Sweeney ToddMatthew is delighted to be returning to the Arena, having played Emilede Beque in SAOS’s recent production of South Pacific, winning theregion’s NODA award for “Best Performance in a Musical”.

Matthew trained at the Royal Academy of Music. Operatic rolesinclude: Banquo, Macbeth and Escamillo, Carmen – both for SAOS;Doctor, La Traviata (with the Coro Ambrosiano, Milan); Death, Savitri;Lockitt, Beggars Opera; Faffner, Das Rheingold. Previous roles with

SAOS include Will Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane; Jud Fry, Oklahoma andSergeant, Broadway Pirates.

Russell Stratton– BeadleRussell has enjoyed a national NODA scholarship and performed inaward-winning shows at festivals such as Waterford and Buxton.Favourite parts include: Tony, Krupke, West Side Story; Judas, JesusChrist Superstar; Guiteau, Balladeer, Assassins; God, Children ofEden; Brian, Elegies; Pirelli, Sweeney Todd; Freddie, Anatoly, Chess;Curly, Oklahoma; Observer, Putting it Together; John, Hired Man;Bardolph, Falstaff; Turridu, Cavalleria Rusticana; Max, Lend me aTenor; Barrington Frunge, Girl Next Door. He will next be in the MusicMan and then Princess Ida, alongside his stunning new wife Emma.

Colin McLeod – Judge TurpinColin can’t remember a time when he wasn’t making a racket orshowing off for the purpose of entertainment, principally his own. Aprofessional drummer, Colin segued into musical theatre when hewas involved in the staging of the new musical “Svengali”, and asuitable actor for a fight scene could not be found. The bug bit, andColin has since appeared in a variety of stage productions, bothlocally and professionally, as well as a number of films.

Colin is very excited to be part of “Sweeney Todd” and to be working with such an accomplishedand talented cast and production team.

Penny Grey –JohannaThis is Penny’s 3rd show with SAOS since she played Mable in Pirates ofPenzance and she is very excited to be playing the role of Johanna havingsung in the chorus of Sweeney Todd for PIT Productions. Previous SAOSperformances include South Pacific and for Harpenden Light Operatic SocietyPenny has played Yum Yum in HOT! Mikado, Tuptim in The King and I andJosephine in HMS Pinafore. When Penny is not singing she enjoys teachingSuzuki Piano and Vocal Coaching from her home in Kimpton.

Julian Wathen – AnthonyJulian is really enjoying being part of such a dynamic, hard-working castand rolling back the years to play the role of Anthony. Recently he musicallydirected the Abbey Rollers for the Company of Ten's 75th AnniversaryCelebration and 2 weeks ago he completed the Great Gorilla Run in London.He is really looking forward to a rest next week and getting his Sundayafternoons back so that he can take his children to watch Saracens. He hasnever appeared in Brookside or Eastenders.

Susan Akroyd – Beggar womanSusan took to the stage when she was 17 and has barely stoppedsince, performing with many societies around the country. She joinedSAOS 8 years ago to play Florence in Chess. Since then she has takenthe roles of Hebe HMS Pinafore, Flo Half a Sixpence and Aldonza Manof La Mancha for the Society. She loves G&S and has played MadMargaret twice; this and her 5 children, have given her plenty ofinspiration for this part!!

Graham Jackson – PirelliBack by popular demand this is Graham’s first show with SAOS. The onlyother singing barber he knows is Perry Como and this is certainly one ofthose “magic moments”! The society has welcomed him like a long lostbrother. Here’s to a great show – he has loved being a part of it!

Daniel Bogod – TobiasA relative newcomer to the area, Daniel has previously appeared inproductions in Lincoln, Nottingham and Sydney. When not busy chewingscenery, he generally occupies his time taking photographs (sporadically),thrashing his guitar (majestically) and playing football (horribly). SweeneyTodd marks Daniel’s first show with SAOS. Please be nice.

Charlotte Gregory – Mrs LovettFollowing her role as Nellie Forbush in South Pacific, Charlotte is lookingforward to playing a far less perky character in Sweeney Todd. PreviousSAOS shows include the title roles in Calamity Jane and Hello Dolly, and AdoAnnie in Oklahoma. Other favourite roles include Anna in Harpenden LOS’sNODA award-winning production of The King and I and Miss Hannigan inWatford Operatic Society’s award winning production of Annie, and Florence in Chess.

No Place Like London – Anthony, Sweeney, Beggar Woman

The Barber and His Wife – Sweeney

The Worst Pies in London – Mrs. Lovett

Poor Thing – Mrs. Lovett

My Friends – Sweeney, Mrs. Lovett

The Ballad of Sweeney Todd (reprise)

Green Finch and Linnet Bird – Johanna

Ah, Miss – Anthony, Beggar Woman

Johanna – Anthony

Pirelli's Miracle Elixir – Tobias, Sweeney, Mrs. Lovett & Ensemble

The Contest – Pirelli

The Ballad of Sweeney Todd (reprise) – Ensemble

Mea Culpa – Judge Turpin

Wait – Mrs. Lovett

The Ballad of Sweeney Todd (reprise) – Three Tenors

Kiss Me – Johanna, Anthony

Ladies in Their Sensitivities – The Beadle

Kiss Me (Quartet) – Johanna, Anthony, The Beadle, Judge Turpin

Pretty Women – Sweeney, Judge Turpin

Epiphany – Sweeney

A Little Priest – Sweeney, Mrs. Lovett

The Ballad of Sweeney Todd - Company God, That’s Good! – Tobias, Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney, Ensemble

Johanna – Anthony, Sweeney, Johanna, Beggar Woman

By the Sea – Mrs. Lovett

Wigmaker Sequence – Sweeney, Anthony, Quintet

The Letter – Sweeney, Quintet

Not While I’m Around – Tobias, Mrs. Lovett

Parlor Songs – The Beadle, Mrs. Lovett, Tobias

The Ballad of Sweeney Todd (reprise) – Ensemble

City on Fire! – Ensemble, Johanna, Anthony

Searching – Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney, Beggar Woman,

Anthony, Johanna

The Judge’s Return – Sweeney, Judge Turpin

Final Sequence – Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney, Tobias

The Ballad of Sweeney Todd – Company

Act 1

Act 2

Epilogue

Prologue

S T E P H E N S O N D H E I M ’ S

THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET

Sweeney Todd ................................................................Matthew Gregory

Mrs Lovett ......................................................................Charlotte Gregory

Tobias Ragg....................................................................Daniel Bogod

Judge Turpin...................................................................Colin Mcleod

Anthony Hope.................................................................Julian Wathen

Johanna..........................................................................Penny Grey

Beggar Woman...............................................................Susan Akroyd

Beadle Bamford..............................................................Russell Stratton

Pirelli ..............................................................................Graham Jackson

Mr Fogg..........................................................................Mike Smith

Ensemble:Stephen Addison, Andrea Adlam, Oyinda Akinola, Graham Blundell, Tom Blundell,

Brian Carroll, Jeanne Cavill, Samantha Cross, Henry Cox, David Duffy,

Hayley Evans, Jane Foufas, Tom Handley, Charlie Harden, Victoria Hargreaves,

John Hope, Hannah James, Hannah Lambden, Sam Lomax, Rachel Manser,

Holly Martin-Smith, Mark Odell, Joanne Pearce-Westrop, Kathy Pilkinton,

Martin Scott, Claire Stephenson, Paul Sugden, Rachael Timberlake, Pete Town

and Jane Watkinson.

Ian Saunders – Lighting DesignerLighting for musicals include Die Fledermaus, Chess, The Wizard of Oz, The King & I,42nd Street, Into the Woods, Three Steps to Heaven, Oliver, Annie, La Cage Aux Folles,Hello Dolly, The Mikado and The Gondoliers.Drama credits include: The Importance of Being Earnest, The Smallest Person, MacBeth(all UK tours), It's Now Or Never, Cor Blimey, Wait Until Dark, Darkness Falls, SeriousMoney, Talent.Site specific shows: News from the 7th Floor (Clements Department Store, Watford) andThe Ring Road Tales (Destiny Nightclub, Watford), Hans Christian Andersen’s MagicalTales (Creation Theatre Co).

Cast

Director ....................................................Alan CoxMusical Director .......................................Philip JoslinAssistant to the Director...........................Eve DaviesRehearsal Pianists....................................Matthew Woodward, Karen StockerStage Manager.........................................Mark WigginsDeputy Stage Manager ............................Buzz CosterLighting Design ........................................Ian SaundersLighting Board..........................................Gillian FarrarFollow spots .............................................James Crossley, Matthew HarroldSound .....................................................Phil StannardStage Crew & Extras ................................Mike Askew, Clive Cavill, Tamsin Evers,.................................................................Ann Fowler, David Halshaw, Carl Robinson,.................................................................Clive Webb, Sue WildingScenery....................................................Scenic Projects Ltd.Wardrobe .................................................Jane Foufasassisted by...............................................Margaret Baker, Janet Biggs, Lesley Duggan,.................................................................Mary Myers, Sheila Pilkinton, Sola Akinola,Costumes.................................................Dress Circle Costumiers, Rickmansworth.................................................................Players & members of the societyProps........................................................Lesley Dugganassisted by...............................................Julia Askew, Ailsa Edwards,.................................................................Rosalind Edwards, Anya Reynolds,.................................................................Linda van Wieringen, Liz Waller,.................................................................Roger Lawrence-HydeMake up...................................................Jade Russell, Jade Walker & members.................................................................of the societyProduction Manager.................................Paul SugdenProduction Secretary................................Gemma FarrPublicity Coordinator ................................Kathy Pilkintonassisted by...............................................Graham Blundell & members of the societyFront of House Manager...........................Eve Davies, Mary Myers and friends.................................................................and members of the SocietyPrompts ...................................................Jean Day, Yioda PanayiotouPhotography.............................................Michael ReadmanTicket Secretary .......................................Pam Kell, Penny GreyLibrarian...................................................Penny Grey

Laura Bookbinder..............................Reed 1Phil Wayman .....................................Reed 2Sue Pettitt .........................................Reed 3Rachel Broadbent..............................Reed 4Hannah Balcombe.............................Reed 5Vivian Davies.....................................HornJames Lawrence ..............................TrumpetRichard Sandham .............................TrumpetMatt Quick ........................................TromboneFred Slide..........................................TromboneAdrian Jarvis.....................................BassTromboneStephen Fawbert...............................PercussionClaire Lawrence................................Leader/ViolinMike Herman ....................................ViolinMarilyn Vanryne ................................ViolinJohn Graham ....................................ViolinAngela Brennan ................................ViolaJohn Brennan ...................................CelloFiona Nesbitt .....................................CelloGraham Thomson..............................Double BassKaren Stocker ...................................Keyboards

Thanks to: St John Fisher School for rehearsal rooms, Company of Ten for loan ofequipment & costumes, John the Butchers of Sandridgebury, St Albans for bones,Terry Watts the barber of The Quadrant, St Albans for razors, Duncan Gorton & JamesCrossley for razor case, Graham Blundell of Art Direction for programme design. Oxfam,Cancer Research UK, Grove House and all local charity shops who have supported us.

Production Orchestra

S T A L B A N S O P E R A T I C S O C I E T Y

If you’ve enjoyed watching tonight's performance, think how

much more fun it can be to take part. It takes all sorts of

talents, whether on stage or behind the scenes, to produce

such a show and there is an infectious team spirit throughout

the society as rehearsals build towards this week.

In addition to Full Active Members, there is a growing number

of Junior Members. Associate membership is also available at

reduced cost to give members access to priority booking and

attendance at SAOS meetings and social functions.

Anyone who feels that he or she has something to

offer can be sure of a great welcome with SAOS! Pick

up the phone and call Penny Grey on 01438 832714

or check out the website www.saos.org.uk.

OUR NEXT SHOW: TheKing and I – see belowfor more details...

Join school teacher Anna as she overcomes cultural boundaries andprejudices to befriend the most powerful man in Siam. Made famous bythe 1956 production starring Yule Brenner, this much loved Rogers andHammerstein classic features song such as Getting to Know You,Whistle a Happy Tune and Shall We Dance?

18th – 22nd May 2010 at the Alban Arenawww.saos.org.uk