Near the end of the first half of Bromsgrove School’s production of Sweeney Todd there’s a really shivery bit. The sort that brings you out in goose bumps. Sweeney has sworn revenge on Judge Turpin and Elliot James, who takes the lead part, is so convincingly evil that you wonder if you’re going to make it home safely.

As chief pie-maker, Nyree Williams had a fantastic time playing Mrs Lovett and she really shone in this part, especially when she was plotting and cavorting around the stage with her partner in crime. The chorus of Victorian ladies and gents, who were like a bonneted and waist-coated Greek chorus, looked and sounded fabulous.

The cast were all strong musically, particularly Rachel Xuereb who played the naive and endearing Toby.  The staging was also excellent, with Mrs Lovett’s pie-shop being wheeled in and out and a brilliant trap door mechanism which gave Todd’s victims a swift exit.  A thoroughly enjoyable production.