Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Sweeney Todd comes to The Duchess Theatre on Tuesday 27 October, with the curtain going up at 7:30pm. It's a production by the Beeston Musical Theatre Group, and if you're not familiar with the story, it's a dark one. The musical is based on Christopher Bond's 1970 play, which in turn draws on the Victorian penny dreadful The String of Pearls.

The plot follows Sweeney Todd, a barber unjustly exiled, who returns to London to seek vengeance on the lecherous judge who framed him and ravaged his young wife. He sets up shop above the failing pie shop of the resourceful Mrs Lovett, and when Todd's thirst for blood inspires her to add a certain ingredient to her meat pies, the shop becomes a London sensation and unleashes carnage. It's a story of revenge and betrayal that doesn't hold back on the grim side of things, and it's been a musical since 1979, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by Hugh Wheeler.

Behind the production is the Beeston Musical Theatre Group, a registered charity run entirely by volunteers. They programme live arts and entertainment with the aim of showcasing the best local talent, so this is a local cast taking on one of the most famous titles in musical theatre. The venue is The Duchess Theatre, part of the Chatsworth Arts Centre on West Gate in Long Eaton, Nottingham, NG10 1EF. Tickets start from £15, and the show runs on Tuesday 27 October at 7:30pm.