MICHAEL BALL AND IMELDA STAUNTON STARRING IN SWEENEY TODD AT THE ADELPHI

The show stars **Michael Ball** who has lost more than 2 stone for the role of Sweeney together with **Imelda Staunton**. Ball says he and his leading lady have "developed a telepathic connection, working together" and credits her with helping him to raise his game saying, "She’s the consummate actress and I wanted to be in her league". He pursued **Stephen Sondheim** for the role and the composer saw the show last Friday and delayed his return to the U.S. to see it a second time. Apparently he considers the Chichester Sweeney to be a landmark production and would like it, and its two stars, to go to New York. However, first it will transfer to the **Adelphi Theatre** and along with the transfer a new recipe for the pies is to be found. Currently the grisly looking pies are filled with sweetcorn and spicy tomatos and the performers have to eat 3 pies during one of the numbers but complaints about the taste means a new concoction is being looked for! Directed by Jonathan Kent, **Sweeney Todd** has been described as one of the best productions to come out of Chichester in recent years. Here are some review of the Chichester Festival production: **'Triumphant pairing and performances of Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton'** - *****, Daily Express **'dark, wild and truthful... Imelda Staunton as Mrs Lovett is fabulously funny'** - *****, The Times **'thrilling... wickedly funny'** *****, The Guardian **'riveting, close-up thriller'** '*****, Sunday Times **'Imelda Staunton is a comic triumph...Michael Ball is an unexpected revelation...he sings with bravura passion'** *****, Sunday Express **'Michael Ball...couldn't be better as this insatiable serial killer...Imelda Staunton is in show-stopping form'** *****, The Mail on Sunday Tickets will be on sale soon so keeping checking here for further updates! [posted by Louise, 07/11/2011]