Entertainment

Tooting’s pie and mash shop Sweeney Todd to perform in West End’s first pop-up venue

Legendary British theatrical producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh is bringing Tooting Arts Club’s critically-acclaimed production of Sweeney Todd to the West End next month.

The original production, which took place in Harrington’s Pie and Mash Shop in Tooting, was a huge success and will now travel to Shaftesbury Avenue as Theatreland’s first pop-up musical.

Hollywood actor James Franco surprised the cast back in November when he attended the show unannounced.

Tooting Arts Club Producer Rachel Edwards said: “To be able to share the project with a wider audience is a dream come true for us.

“The stars have aligned for us and through word of mouth and the incredible support of Stephen Sondheim and Cameron Mackintosh we are able to make it happen again.”

While the snug eatery, established in 1908, is closed for refurbishment, the show will move to its new home in an unused bar space between two of Sir Cameron’s venues where an exact replica of the set will be built making Mrs Lovett feel like she’s never left home.

The collaboration will continue with hearty meat pies, mash and liquor will be sold on site still being provided by Harrington’s.

Also returning will be director Bill Buckhurst, of Shakespeare’s Globe fame, and the majority of his cast, including Olivier Award nominee Siobhan McCarthy as Mrs Lovett.

The only new addition will be Zoe Doano, who played Johanna Barker on TV’s Penny Dreadful.

Tooting Arts Club was set up in 2011 in an attempt to bring drama to Tooting, an area without a professional theatre.

Ms Edwards said: “Putting Sweeney Todd on at Harrington’s last year was a remarkable adventure.

“The project sums up exactly what Tooting Arts Club is about – creating inventive work that is born out of exciting collaborations with people at the heart of the local community.”

The show will run from March 12-May 16.

Picture courtesy of Bronwen Sharp, with thanks

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