Friedman, Terfel, Quast, Evans Set for London 'Sweeney'

Whatsonstage.com reports that Olivier Award-winner Maria Friedman and Welsh opera star Bryn Terfel will star in the Royal Festival Hall's production of the macabre Stephen Sondheim-Hugh Wheeler classic Sweeney Todd. 

The production, with Friedman (The Woman in White, London's Passion, Ragtime) as Mrs. Lovett and Terfel (Sweeney Todd at New York Cit Opera) in the title role, will run for four performances only at the Southbank Center from July 5th through 7th.  David Freeman will direct Sweeney Todd, which will be presented as part of RFH's reopening celebration season (the company was previously closed for two years for refurbishment).

The production will also feature Olivier Award-winning Sunday in the Park with George star Daniel Evans as Tobias and Olivier Award-winner Philip Quast as Judge Turpin, with Adrian Thompson as Pirelli and Steve Elias as the Beadle.

According to the article, the 1979 musical - recently revived to success on Broadway and the subject of an upcoming Tim Burton film - is "set in Victorian London and based on the infamous tale of the vengefully bloodthirsty barber and his pie-making proprietress."  The lead performers will be accompanied by the Maida Vale Singers and Guildford School of Acting's chorus, with Stephen Barlow directing the London Philharmonic Orchestra.  Sweeney Todd features a score by Sondheim and a book by Wheeler, based on the play by Christopher Bond.

Photo of Maria Friedman by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.