Derby Theatre and the Mercury Theatre Colchester are thrilled to announce the casting line-up for their big co-production for the autumn, Stephen Sondheim’s multi award-winning musical thriller, Sweeney Todd on at Derby Theatre from Fri 30 September until Sat 22  October before transferring for a run at the Mercury Theatre from Wednesday 26 October until Saturday 12 November.

Playing the demon barber will be Hugh Maynard. Hugh has some high profile West End musical theatre roles and credits to his name, including Simon Zealotes and understudy Judas, in Jesus Christ Superstar, The Lion King, Notre Dame Dé Paris, Follies, We Will Rock You, Dancing in the Streets, Sister Act, Miss Saigon, Travels With My Aunt and Miss Saigon Live. Hugh is the first black actor from the UK to play the role of Sweeney Todd in a professional UK production.

Sophie-Louise Dann will be baking some monstrous pies as Sweeney’s accomplice, Mrs Lovett. Sophie is a highly accomplished and acclaimed actor and musical theatre performer whose credits include: Paula in the original cast of Bend It Like Beckham (Phoenix Theatre); Barbara in the original cast of Made in Dagenham (Adelphi Theatre); Oliver (Grange Park Opera) and Hairspray (Leicester Curve). Sophie was also nominated for the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical award for her performance in Lend Me a Tenor at the Gielgud Theatre in 2011.

Appearing alongside Hugh and Sophie will be: Christina Bennington (Oklahoma, Jesus Christ Superstar and Jerry Springer the Musical); David Durham (As You Like It, Follies, The Lion King, Porgy and Bess); Jack Wilcox (Travels With My Aunt, Kiss Me Kate, A Chorus Line, Singin’ in the Rain); Julian Hoult (The Jew of Malta, Loves Sacrifice and Volpone for the RSC); Simon Shorten (War of the Worlds, Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera); Kara Lane (The Sound of Music, Annie Get Your Gun, The Rocky Horror Show and Scrooge); Daniel Buckley (Loserville, Lord of The Flies) and Ryan Heenan (The Burnt Part Boys, Pentecost).

Sweeney Todd will be directed by Daniel Buckroyd, the Artistic Director of the Mercury Theatre Colchester.

Daniel Buckroyd said: “Sweeney Todd is one of those shows that actors are just dying to perform (no pun intended!), so we’ve assembled an incredibly talented cast for this production. A company of ten performers with an extraordinary wealth of West End experience between them, and the vocal power that Sondheim’s show demands, led by Olivier Award nominated actress Sophie-Louise Dann as Mrs Lovett, and, fresh from his success as one of the leads in Miss Saigon, Hugh Maynard as the eponymous barber. I can’t wait to start rehearsals!”

Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler’s multi-award-winning musical will burst onto the stages at Derby Theatre and the Mercury Theatre Colchester in a ‘razor-sharp’ new production this autumn.

In 19th-century London, Sweeney Todd is a prosperous and successful Fleet Street barber with a thirst for revenge. As he welcomes clients to his barber’s chair, little do they know that they will soon be catapulted into the cellar below, their throats cut. Meanwhile, next door, Mrs Lovett is busy serving up her succulent meat pies, but will Todd’s insatiable lust for blood prove his undoing?

Sweeney Todd is recommended for ages 12+ and tickets are £9.50 – £26.50. For more information and to book tickets call the Box Office on 01332 593939 or online at http://www.derbytheatre.co.uk, or call the Mercury Theatre Box Office on 01206 573948.

Derby Theatre Fri 30 September – Sat 22 October 2016 Evening performances: (Mon – Sat), 7.30pm Matinee performances Wed & Sat, 2.30pm Tickets: £9.50 – £26.50

Mercury Theatre Wed 26 October – Sat 12 November Evening performances: (Tue – Sat), 7.30pm Matinee performances: Thu & Sat, 2.30pm Tickets: £12 – £27