Actors in revamped ‘Sweeney Todd’ also take on play’s music

Chris Marchant plays the crazed Tobias in “Sweeney Todd,” coming to Knoxville Tuesday, April 7.

Photo by Peter Coombs/Special to the News Sentinel

Merritt David Janes, standing, and David Alan Marshall star in “Sweeney Todd.”

Photo by Peter Coombs/Special to the News Sentinel

Carrie Cimma, left, and Merritt David Janes play Mrs. Lovett and Sweeney in “Sweeney Todd.”

Photo by Peter Coombs/Special to the News Sentinel

Chris Marchant plays the crazed Tobias in “Sweeney Todd,” coming to Knoxville Tuesday, April 7.

When "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" first shocked audiences with its 1979 Broadway debut, few could believe Stephen Sondheim's macabre musical could get any darker.

Sweeney Todd's bloodlust drives the plot, as he searches for a sinister judge who stole his wife and wrongly put him in prison. When Todd finds Mrs. Lovett on his cutthroat quest, they bait the unsuspecting to Fleet Street together. Sondheim added some exquisite music and dark humor and turned a 19th century legend of a London barber into a Tony Award-winning hit.

However, in 2005, the play was revamped by John Doyle to universal acclaim. The lavish sets were reined back to minimal constructions; the blood and effects were instead portrayed with abstract touches; and the actors took on double-duty by not only acting, but playing the orchestra as well.

Chris Marchant, who portrays the crazed Tobias, plays violin, piano and clarinet for the popular touring production. For his multi-tasking performance, he dove in head first.

"It was a challenge," said the 25 year-old Marchant who discussed the difficulty of being both actor and musician from a tour stop in Detroit. The show comes to Knoxville at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 7. "They sent us away for three weeks to work before rehearsals actually started. Actually, it was a relatively painless process that could have been a nightmare."

In a musical as twisted as "Sweeney Todd," nightmares are something any actor would definitely want to avoid. Luckily, Marchant learned how to play clarinet just days before his audition.

While he has never seen the original Broadway production, he says Doyle's version offers audiences something totally unique.

"Ours is very minimal, more conceptual, and a little darker," said Marchant about the play. "The original Broadway was a big production with a large singing ensemble, orchestras, and lavish sets and costumes. Ours is scaled down."

Regardless, Marchant said he auditioned for the role because of his adoration for acclaimed composer Sondheim. But he was also attracted by the character Tobias.

"The casting descriptions fit me perfectly," said Marchant, who's been in professional theater for two years. "Especially in this version, he has a very interesting part. He's like the soundless narrator. He watches everything happen and watches the things … that drove him insane."

Marchant said that for those who were put off by the show's violence and blood, the Doyle production has "much less gore."

He also added that, because this particular production is more abstract, the plot can be a little tricky to follow for those unfamiliar with the source material.

"For my family and friends, I always recommend one of the filmed versions before they come, so they can follow it. So they can understand the concepts that are new," said Marchant.

Stephen Woodward is a freelance contributor to the News Sentinel.

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