WWOS
For the Best In Musical Theatre
THE STORY OF SWEENEY TODD
ATTEND THE TALE OF... SONDHEIM
Stephen Sondheim is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest composers of the modern musical era, yet he began his career at the age of 27 as a lyricist, collaborating with Jerome Robbins and Leonard Bernstein on the widely acclaimed West Side Story (1957). This he followed with Gypsy (1959) before establishing himself as a composer with a Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1962). For nearly four decades he had explored and expanded the scope of the BroadwayMusical in a series of highly original works: Anyone Can Whistle (1964); Company (1970); Follies (1971); A Little Night Music (1973); Pacific Overtures (1976); Sweeney Todd (1979); Merrily We Roll Along (1981); Sunday in the Park With George (1984); Into the Woods (1987); Assassins (1990) and Passion (1994)
In Sweeney Todd, Stephen Sondheim wrote a Musical Melodrama, which he saw as "Larger than life in emotion, subject and complication of plot". Sondheim found his inspiration from the show at the Theatre Royal Stratford where Christopher Bond's successful version of the Victorian tale was being staged.
The vengeful campaign of Sweeney Todd was first published as a Penny Dreadful serial in The Peoples Periodical and Family Library (1846) and was called The String of Pearls; a romance. There have been many other versions of the story including two silent films in 1926 and 1928 and a half hour ballet in 1959 by the Royal Ballet Company. Christopher Bond's version was, however different as his Sweeney Todd was not just presented as in inexplicably certifiable maniac, but as a poor man with some kind of reason for his murderous behaviour. The deadly results were, however, just the same.
Stephen Sondheim transformed Bond's play into a musical masterpiece.
In 2004–05, director John Doyle reimagined Sweeney Todd with a chamber cast who played their own instruments onstage—a daring conceit that transferred from the UK to Broadway in 2005, starring Michael Cerveris and Patti LuPone. The revival earned multiple Tony nominations and left a lasting mark on how the piece can be staged.
The story has also thrived in immersive forms. Tooting Arts Club’s production set the show in an actual pie-and-mash shop (Harrington’s, Tooting), later recreating the environment Off-Broadway at New York’s Barrow Street Theatre—complete with pre-show pies for the audience.
Most recently, the 2023 Broadway revival at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre restored full orchestration and scale, with Josh Groban and Annaleigh Ashford leading the company under director Thomas Kail.
Tim Burton’s 2007 film adaptation brought Sweeney Todd to new audiences and a new generation. The movie received the Academy Award for Best Art Direction (Dante Ferretti & Francesca Lo Schiavo) and earned nominations including Best Actor for Johnny Depp; it also garnered numerous other accolades worldwide.
WWOS is thrilled to return once again to Sweeney Todd, bringing Stephen Sondheim’s darkly brilliant masterpiece back to the Churchill Theatre, Bromley, for a third time.
Through the years, Ron Leagas & the late Pauline Gregoire, Mark Leach & Sheila Arden, and now Jamie Fillery & Jane Werry have brought their own unique chemistry and craft to these iconic roles.
CAST
SWEENEY TODD
JAMIE FILLERY
MRS LOVETT
JANE WERRY
TOBIAS RAGG
SAM WEBBER
ANTHONY
SCOTT SLAYTOR
JOHANNA
KATE GAUNTLETT
JUDGE TURPIN
CHRIS CHEDZEY
BEADLE BAMFORD
ANDY MOORE
BEGGAR WOMAN
JACQUI MORRIS
ADOLFO PIRELLI
KEVIN GAUNTLETT
JONAS FOGG
PHILIP NETSCHER
ELIZABETH BIRCHENHOUGH
EMMA BRACK
DEBORAH BROOME
SARAH CLAYTON
DAVID CUTLER
JADE DALEY
SIAN DAVIS
SAMANTHA DRAIN
COLIN ERRIDGE
JOSEPH FAINT
VICTORIA FAINT
AMANDA FARRANT
BETHANY FERNANDES
JOANNE FRAZER
JEREMY GAUNTLETT
LOUISE GAUNTLETT
GRACE HARRISON-BAKER
LIZ HODGSON
LUCY HUGHES
MOLLY KENNY
BARRY KNIGHT
PHILIPPA MASON
EILEEN MORTBY
KATY POWIS-HOLT
TRACY PRIZEMAN
KATE RATSMA
LEE ROBINSON
KIM SIBLEY
LOIS WAKEFIELD
ANNA WEDDELL
ABBIE WHITE
Act 1
Prologue
The Ballad of Sweeney Todd
The Company
No place like London
Anthony, Todd & Beggar Woman
Barber & his Wife
Todd
The worst pies in London
Mrs Lovett
Poor thing
Mrs Lovett
My friends
Todd
Green Finch and Linnet Bird
Johanna
Ah, Miss
Anthony & Beggar Woman
Johanna
Anthony
Pirelli's miracle elixir
Tobias, Todd, Mrs Lovett & ensemble
The Contest
Pirelli, Todd & Ensemble
The Ballad of Sweeney Todd
Ensemble
Wait
Mrs Lovett
The Ballad of Sweeney Todd
Ensemble
Kiss me
Johanna & Anthony
Ladies in their sensitivities
Beadle Bamford
Quartet
Johanna, Anthony, Judge & Beadle
Pretty woman
Todd & Judge
Epiphany
Todd
A little Priest
Todd & Mrs Lovett
20-minute Interval
ACT 2
God, that's good!
Tobias, Mrs Lovett & Ensemble
Johanna
Anthony, Todd, Johanna & Beggar woman
By the sea
Mrs Lovett
Wigmakers Sequence
Todd, Anthony & Ensemble
The Letter
Ensemble
Not while I'm around
Tobias & Mrs Lovett
Parlour Songs
Beadle & Mrs Lovett
The engine roared, the motor hissed
Ensemble
City on fire
Johanna, Anthony & Ensemble
Final Sequence
Anthony, Beggar Woman, Todd, Judge,
Mrs Lovett, Johanna & Tobias
Epilogue
The Ballad of Sweeney Todd
The Company
PRODUCTION TEAM
Kevin has been with WWOS for as long as he can remember, starting off as a common drummer boy in The Gondoliers, the society’s first production at The Churchill Theatre in 1978. His first adult role was that of Benjamin Kid in The Desert Song in 1987 and his first production as Director was Gentlemen Prefer Blondes in 1992.
Since then, Kevin has directed over 40 shows at The Churchill, including our last production of Sweeney Todd in 2000. He has found it a wonderful experience, returning to a show but starting from scratch again, having lost his previous notes!
Kevin will be returning to the Churchill next year to direct the society’s next 2 exciting projects – Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in May and Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in November – Not to be missed!
Danielle is delighted to return to WWOS as Assistant Director for this Sondheim classic. She has previously choreographed shows such as Cats, Kinky Boots, Shrek and Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, to name a few.
Having also performed in various productions at The Churchill, with highlights being The Producers, Anything Goes and Made In Dagenham.
She has really enjoyed working on Sweeney Todd with a fabulous cast, and it's been a joy to work with Anne and Kevin again, along with her brother, James on lighting.
She'd like to wish the full company a fantastic show week and thank you, the audience, for coming to support us.
Anne is hugely excited and privileged to be MD for Sweeney Todd, which must be one of the most challenging pieces of musical theatre ever penned.
This is her fourth WWOS show as MD, previously directing Follies, Made in Dagenham and Oliver. She also played in the pit for Shrek and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Sondheim’s genius for combining music and lyrics in a complex web of emotion is on full display in this amazing score. Will meat pies ever taste the same again? I doubt it!!
DIRECTOR
Kevin Gauntlett
ASST. DIRECTOR
Danielle Grant
MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Anne Greenidge
LIGHTING DESIGNER
James Simpson
LIGHTING PROGRAMMER
Tom Lee
BLACKTRAX PROGRAMMER
Loren Hawley
SOUND ENGINEERS
Steve Allan
Sarah Jones
STAGE MANAGER
Richard Burchell
BOARD OPERATOR
Richard Burchell
ASSISTANTS
Robin Mortby
Karin O'Sullivan
Ben Kyte
Zoe Monforte
CREW
Members of the Cast
SCENERY
Scenic Projects
FOLLOW SPOTS
Stephen Challis, Michael Simpson
COSTUMES
Charades
PROPS
Pauline Waltham, Ian Waltham & Kevin Gauntlett
WARDROBE MISTRESS
Josie Simpson
CONTINUITY
Lesley Jopling
WWOS BOX OFFICE
Jeremy Gauntlett
POSTER & PROGRAMME DESIGN
Jonny Faint
PRODUCTION PHOTOGRAPHY
Paul Lehane
WWOS FOH
Bob Faint & Adrian Pope
ORCHESTRA
VIOLIN
Andy Pearce
CELLO
Dan Burrows
DOUBLE BASS
Vicki Boaden
TRUMPET
Matt Payne
HORN
Tony Lamb
CLARINET
Chris Wilkes
BASSOON
Sarah Sesu
KEYS
Jeorgie Brett
PERCUSSION
Dave Hunt
CAST
Jamie trained at The Arden School of Theatre in Manchester. His professional credits include Off-West End productions such as The Burnt Part Boys and Musical of the Year.
After taking an extended break from acting, Jamie has thoroughly enjoyed the roles he has taken on in recent years in local theatre.
This is his fourth show with WWOS, and he is thrilled to be taking on another bucket list role as Sweeney Todd. Jamie recently performed as The Baker in Into the Woods with Artform at the Bob Hope Theatre and has said it is an honour to return to another Sondheim masterpiece and explore such a rich and challenging role. His recent performing credits with WWOS include Shrek in Shrek the Musical and Dewey Finn in School of Rock.
Jamie’s performance is dedicated to his dad, who recently passed away. His love, encouragement, and quiet strength have always inspired Jamie — this one’s for him.
Since studying music at Cambridge University, Jane's musical activities have become progressively wilder and more frivolous over time. Having done an awful lot of very serious choral singing, she now sings with a covers band, runs a pub ukulele group, and pops up in various guises with WWOS: in the band, as musical director, and sometimes even on the stage. Jane's previous roles with WWOS include Cora (Calendar Girls) and Yum-Yum (Mikado), and she was MD for last year's production of Charlie & the Chocolate Factory.
She is delighted to have the opportunity to play one of her 'bucket list' parts as Mrs Lovett, and is absolutely relishing this very meaty role.
Jane first shared a stage with Jacqui Morris in 1976, and is honoured to be doing so again, although sorry to have to be so mean to her this time...
Sam is delighted to be returning to the Churchill stage with West Wickham Musical Theatre as Tobias Ragg.
Sam has enjoyed exploring Tobias’s journey from youthful innocence to a chilling revelation... there are some people in the cast that haven't sold a single ticket.
He is looking froward to travelling in the new year with his girlfriend, galavanting to Japan, Australia and New Zealand. He hopes you enjoy the show—just be cautious about what’s in the pies! Previous roles include Augustus Gloop in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Patsy in Spamalot
Scott has gone from a wooden boy to a young adult during his time with WWOS and he couldn’t be happier about it! He was last seen with the company as Mike Teavee in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and before that as Ned Schneebly in School of Rock and Pinocchio in Shrek.
Having performed with WWOS on several occasions, he’s thrilled to be returning once again this time tackling another Sondheim masterpiece.
Scott’s theatre credits include Rapunzel’s Prince in Into the Woods, Sammy in The Wedding Singer, Frederic Charlus in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Roger in Grease, Peter in Company, Leo Bloom in The Producers, Freddy in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and Franz in Rock of Ages. Other roles include Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing, Willy in Flora the Red Menace, and Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm in Sondheim Concert.
He’s delighted to be returning to his darker side in Sweeney Todd.
Kate is thrilled to be playing Johanna in Sweeney Todd, marking her 12th production with WWOS. After many shows featuring big, belty roles, she has relished the challenge of exploring Johanna’s softer soprano side.
Favourite past roles include Violet Beauregarde in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Jenny in Calendar Girls. She’ll next appear as Cinderella in this year’s Chequer Mead Pantomime — proving she can go from sweet soprano to fairy-tale princess faster than you can say, “It’s behind you!”
When not performing, Kate can be found teaching the younger generation the magic of performing arts.
Chris spent the First Act of his life in Cardiff before moving to Kent in 2002 for the Second Act with wife Lynn and daughter Sophie. His first show was a school production of Oliver and he taught Maths and Science during the day while playing Mr Sowerberry at night.
He went on to perform with multiple societies in South Wales and Kent.
Previous Sondheim roles include Pseudolus in Forum, Charles Guiteau in Assassins and the David Kerman part in Side by Side by Sondheim.
Sweeney Todd is Chris’s favourite show and he has played the man himself with Canterbury Operatic Society at the Marlowe Theatre in 2014.
Most recently Chris has appeared as Cat in Honk! and Professor Callahan in Legally Blonde.
This is Chris’s debut with WWOS which probably makes him the oldest newbie in the Society. He’s looking forward to a ‘bloody’ marvellous week.
Andy has played an assortment of characters over the years in plays and musicals including Fagin in Oliver!, Igor in Young Frankenstein, Lumiere in Beauty & the Beast, Peter in Jesus Christ Superstar, Cosmo in Singing in the Rain Lord Farquaad in Shrek, Scarecrow in Wizard of Oz & earlier this year King Arthur in Spamalot.
He also has done more pantos than you can shake a stick at – oh yes he has!
In his spare time, he sings swing, soul, pop & a little opera with “That’s A Mooré”.
Andy is very happy to be back with WWOS playing Beadle Bamford in a slightly darker show than usual – he’d like to apologise in advance for the silly high notes!
Jacqui joined WWOS as a young dancer who danced her way through more shows than she can actually remember. Favourites being Anything Goes, Oklahoma and Witches of Eastwick.
Jacqui has also choreographed many productions with her favourites being JCS, Beauty and the Beast and Priscilla . However since hanging up her fishnets she’s found a love of playing ‘character’ roles and is thrilled to add the Beggar Woman to the growing list. Favourite roles to date include the Wicked Witch in Wizard of Oz, Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, Trish in Kinky Boots and Beryl in Made in Dagenham and Chris in Calendar Girls. Jacqui is happy to be sharing the stage once again with her very talented childhood dancing school friend Jane (Mrs Lovett).
Jacqui hopes you enjoy the Tale of Sweeney Todd, it’s a ‘bloody’ good story.
Kevin is returning to the role of Adolfo Pirelli for the third time, having played the role for WWOS in both the 1990 and 2000 productions.
Kevin has played many parts for the society over the years, repeating only a few including Pickwick x 2 (Pickwick), Alfred Dolittle x 2 (My Fair Lady), Enoch Snow x 2 (Carousel), Tevye x 2 (Fiddler On The Roof), Koko x 2 (The Mikado), Billis x 2 (South Pacific), Ali Hakim x 2 (Oklahoma!) and Major General x 2 (The Pirates Of Penzance)
Kevin’s next role will be that of The Fairy Godmother at The Chequer Mead Theatre in Cinderella, his 9th Pantomime as The Dame in East Grinstead.
WWOS PRODUCTION HISTORY
1935 - [GH] Iolanthe
1936 - Patience
1937 - The Mikado / The Plumbers Opera & The Pirates of Penzance
1938 - Ruddigore / The Gondoliers
1939 - The Yeomen of the Guard
1940-43 - NO PRODUCTIONS
1944 - [LH] The Policeman’s Serenade & H.M.S. Pinafore
1945 - Iolanthe / The Pirates of Penzance
1946 - The Mikado / The Rebel Maid
1947 - The Gondoliers / Merrie England (Concert)
1947 - [GH] The Geisha
1948 - [LH] Patience / Trial by Jury (Concert) / [GH] Princess Ida
1949 - [LH] Ruddigore / The Yeomen of the Guard / The Emerald Isle (Concert)
1950 - The Mikado / Merrie England
1951 - Iolanthe / The Rebel Maid
1952 - The Maid of the Mountains / Tom Jones (Concert) / The Gondoliers
1953 - Merrie England / Messiah (Concert) / [SH] The Pirates of Penzance
1954 - Ruddigore / The Geisha
1955 - The Yeomen of the Guard / Waltz Time
1956 - Love at the Inn / [AH] The Mikado
1957 - Iolanthe / The Rebel Maid
1958 - Patience / The Gondoliers
1959 - Merrie England / The Rose of Persia
1960 - The Yeomen of the Guard / Ruddigore
196 - 1Trial by Jury & The Sorcerer / The Bartered Bride
1962 - The Mikado / Die Fledermaus
1963 - Princess Ida / H.M.S. Pinafore
1964 - Engaged! / Iolanthe
1965 - The Merry Widow / The Gondoliers / Christmas Oratorio
1966 - La Belle Hélène / The Pirates of Penzance
1967 - The Grand Duke / The Gipsy Baron
1968 - Orpheus in the Underworld / The Yeomen of the Guard / Concert
1969 - Die Fledermaus / Concert / Trial by Jury & The Sorcerer
1970 - Merrie England / The Mikado
1971 - The Beggar’s Opera / La Vie Parisienne / Concert
1972 - Ruddygore (original version) / Princess Ida
1973 - Patience / The Merry Widow
1974 - Night in Venice / The Pirates of Penzance
1975 - Utopia Limited / The Gipsy Baron / 40th Anniversary Concert
1976 - La Belle Hélène / Lock Up Your Daughters
1977 - Iolanthe / The Rebel Maid
1978 - Engaged! / [CT] The Gondoliers
1979 - Concert / Orpheus in the Underworld
1980 - [WT] The Beggar’s Opera / [CT] The Mikado
1981 - [WT] Free As Air / [CT] The Merry Widow
1982 - [WT] Tarantara! Tarantara! / [CT] The Gipsy Baron
1983 - [CC] The Sorcerer / [CT] Bitter Sweet
1984 - [CC] La Vie Parisienne / [CT] The Pirates of Penzance / H.M.S. Pinafore
1985 - Die Fledermaus / [CC] Golden Jubilee Concert / [CT] Merrie England
1986 - Iolanthe / Oklahoma!
1987 - The Desert Song / South Pacific
1988 - Night in Venice / Fiddler on the Roof
1989 - Show Boat / Kismet
1990 - Calamity Jane / Sweeney Todd
1991- Carousel / Pickwick
1992 - Gentlemen Prefer Blondes / The Music Man
1993 - [AT] Guys and Dolls
1994 - [WT] The Beggar’s Opera / [CT] Olde Tyme Music Hall / The Mikado
1995 - Hello, Dolly! / Camelot / Wot No Entertainment? (VE50 Variety) / [CT/AT] Olde Tyme Music Hall
1996 - [CT] The Sound of Music / My Fair Lady / [TT] Olde Tyme Music Hall
1997 - [CT] Me And My Girl / Kiss Me, Kate / [TT] Olde Tyme Music Hall
1998 - [CT] The Merry Widow / Annie Get Your Gun / Olde Tyme Music Hall
1999 - Anything Goes / Olde Tyme Music Hall
2000 - Oliver! / Sweeney Todd / [TT] Olde Tyme Music Hall
2001 - [CT] Oklahoma! / Annie / [CT/TT] Olde Tyme Music Hall
2002 - [MT] Pickwick / [CT] Fiddler on the Roof / [CT/TT] Olde Tyme Music Hall
2003 - [CT] Mack & Mabel / The King and I / [CT/TT] Olde Tyme Music Hall
2004 - [CT/NF] The Yeomen of the Guard / [CT/TT] Olde Tyme Music Hall / [CT] Chess
2005 - My Fair Lady / The Pirates of Penzance (Broadway Version) / [CT/TT] We’ll Meet Again (VE60 Variety show)
2006 - [CT] Carousel / Titanic, The Musical / End of the Pier (Variety Music Hall)
2007 - [CT] The Witches of Eastwick / Annie / A Pair of Sparklin’ Guys (concert) / [TT] Olde Tyme Music Hall
2008 - [CT] Annie Warbucks / Me And My Girl / [LG] Les Misérables School Edition / [TT] Olde Tyme Music Hall
2009 - [CT] The Producers / The Wizard of Oz / [TT] Strictly Music Hall
2010 - [CT] The Full Monty / Guys and Dolls / [NF] The Pirates of Penzance / [TT] Strictly Music Hall
2011 - [AT] The Full Monty / [CT] Jesus Christ Superstar /[TT] Strictly Music Hall
2012 - [CT] Titanic, The Musical / Beauty and the Beast / [BT/GS] The Mikado / [TT] Strictly Music Hall
2013 - [CT] The Sound of Music / Oklahoma! / [LP/GS] Ruddigore / [TT] Strictly Music Hall
2014 - [CT/GS] The Pirates of Penzance / [CT] Calamity Jane / [TT] Strictly Music Hall
2015 - [CT] South Pacific / Sunset Boulevard / [WT/GS] H.M.S. Pinafore / [CT/TT] Strictly Music Hall
2016 - [CT] Legally Blonde / Fiddler on the Roof / [TT] Strictly Music Hall
2017 - [CT] Priscilla, Queen of the Desert / [WT/GS] The Sorcerer / [CT] My Fair Lady / [TT] Strictly Music Hall
2018 - [CT] Cats / Follies / [WT/GS] The Mikado / [TT] Strictly Music Hall
2019 - [CT] Anything Goes / Sister Act / [TT] Strictly Music Hall
2020 - NO PRODUCTIONS (COVID Lockdown)
2021 - [CT] Strictly Music Hall / Kinky Boots
2022 - [CT] Made in Dagenham / Calendar Girls
2023 - [CT] Shrek / School of Rock
2024 - [CT] Oliver!
2024 - [CT] - Charlie & The Chocolate Factory
2025 - [CT] - SPAMALOT!
2025 [CT] - Sweeney Todd
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