By Diane Parkes
Actor and singer David Bedella has a challenge on his hands when he plays Judge Turpin in a new production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street as he is hoping to find some sympathy for the show’s bad guy.
It is Judge Turpin who engineers the wrongful conviction of Benjamin Barker to an Australian penal colony, who rapes Barker’s wife Lucy, takes over the wardship of the Barkers’ daughter Johanna and then attempts to seduce the young woman.
It is revenge for these wrongs which drives Barker to return to London under the guise of barber Sweeney Todd and, together with pie maker Mrs Lovett, embark on a murderous regime.
But David, who takes the role in a new production at Birmingham Rep directed by the theatre’s Artistic Director Joe Murphy in July and August, is determined to flesh out the Judge’s personality.
“When we discussed the character of Judge Turpin, As an actor, I have to fully acknowledge that he is a deeply abusive and predatory man, but the challenge is to approach him not as a cartoon villain, but as someone shaped by power, repression, and a warped sense of morality who genuinely believes he is acting within the order of his world - because finding that human contradiction is what makes him frighteningly real. I’m looking forward to exploring this in the rehearsal process.”
David, who was born in Indiana in America but now lives in London, has also turned to the much-loved actor Alan Rickman for inspiration as Rickman played Turpin in Tim Burton’s 2007 film of Sweeney Todd.
‘’I really admired what Alan Rickman brought to the role of the Judge. Rather than portraying him as purely grotesque or one-dimensional, he gave the character a degree of charisma and emotional complexity, and, in turn, made the abuse of power at the heart of the story even more unsettling.’’
Created by Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler, Sweeney Todd premiered on Broadway in 1979, winning 12 Tonys and quickly becoming a hugely popular and influential piece of musical theatre.
Triple Olivier Award-winner David was keen to take the part in the Birmingham production after learning the role of Sweeney was being played by fellow musicals A-lister Ramin Karimloo.
Triple Olivier Award-winner David was keen to take the part in the Birmingham production after learning the role of Sweeney was being played by fellow musicals A-lister Ramin Karimloo.
“I’ve known Ramin for probably 20 years, we used to do the occasional concert together, but we’ve never done a show together. And I sat there thinking ‘I should do this show with him because I love Sweeney Todd and I’m now the right age to play the Judge.
“When I heard this was casting, I told my agent how much I’d love to play this role. I’m so happy the casting director, Abby Galvin, also seemed excited about the idea...and the long story short is that here we are.”
David, who has starred in numerous musicals including The Rocky Horror Show, & Juliet and In the Heights, first appeared in Sweeney Todd more than a decade ago when he played the Demon Barber. And the show has remained a favourite.
“Sweeney Todd is just faultless. It is an incredibly interesting story, it’s classic in that it has been part of London folklore for as long as anyone can remember and the music is stunning.
“I think when I first did Sweeney it was more of an experiment or a question mark for me. Do I have the ability to sing it, do I have the acting skills to dig down that deep and bring up that kind of range that it takes to play that role? And I wasn’t sure.
“It turned out that it was a good match but I come to it now with more confidence. I’m in a different place in my career. I know what skills I bring to the table, I now have three Oliviers on the shelf which speak of my abilities, so I come to it with a great amount of respect for the piece and I’m in a good place to be doing it.”
Sondheim’s music is notoriously difficult but that is part of the enjoyment of the role, David says.
“Rhythmically Sondheim is always challenging, he changes time metre and his intervals jump all over the place and it’s always complex so it takes real skill to navigate his music.
“But it is rewarding. He seemed to have a window into the soul of what it means to be human. His themes are always about love and loyalty and friendship and putting those things first in life and the heartbreak that happens when you don’t.
“So there is always something really profound and emotional to his shows which you don’t always have in musical theatre. There is an emotional reward to singing Sondheim.”
Having toured with so many shows, David has performed in Birmingham on many occasions but Sweeney Todd will be his first time on the Birmingham Rep stage.
“When I’ve shared with people that I will be performing at the Birmingham Rep, the response is incredibly positive as people recognise it as such a respected and prestigious theatre. It’s really exciting, and I feel genuinely honoured to be part of that legacy.’’
“I am hoping there will be time to explore Birmingham and places nearby. I’d like to get out into nature a bit, go exploring, spend my weekends with my partner looking at the countryside.”
And he hopes the production, which also features Meow Meow as Mrs Lovett, will capture the hearts of audiences.
“I think our intention in this one is to bring it back to the story first and foremost and that is very rewarding. I love doing theatre where you are close enough to hear the sniffling and the tears falling and you know that the audience are feeling the heartbreak along with you. I am positive that is what we are going to achieve with this production.
“I think I am one of many people who are in love with Sweeney Todd so the people showing up are going to be as excited as we are. So to share in this theatrical moment is very special and that is what I’m looking forward to the most.”
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street plays Birmingham Rep between 4 July and 9 August, see www.birmingham-rep.co.uk for more details and tickets.
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