AFTER weeks of intensive rehearsal and following a tremendous success with Les Misérables in 2014, the Regal Theatre in Minehead brings its major summer show to the stage this week.

Performances of Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, by Stephen Sondheim start on Thursday (August 13) and run until Saturday August 22.

Acclaimed by critics as one of Sondheim’s most powerful scores, the musical thriller concerns the infamous homicidal career of Sweeney, the unjustly exiled barber who returns to 19th century London seeking revenge against the lecherous judge who coveted his young wife and falsely imprisoned him.

Cheated of his revenge against the judge, Sweeney’s thirst for blood soon expands to include his unfortunate customers and - with the aid of his razor - he exacts a far more terrible revenge, cheerfully helped by Mrs Lovett, who is delighted to give new life to her flavourless meat pies!

Sweeney Todd mixes intense drama with dark humour - audiences find themselves laughing one moment and gasping in surprise the next.

Performed over nine nights by a cast of 40 directed by Jim Crawley and accompanied by a live orchestral ensemble led by Joseph Buckler, Sweeney Todd is produced by Jen Matravers with choreography by Lorraine Ahern and lighting by Jim Woodley.

Director Jim Crawley has also designed and managed the building of the two-storey set, complete with Sweeney Todd’s mechanical chair and trap door to dispose of his victims.

The cast includes some of the same stars of last year’s acclaimed production of Les Misérables, but also draws on the talents of other local adult performers.

Ryan Boulton takes on the role of Sweeney Todd - his first return to the Regal stage following his award for Best Actor Under 21 at the David Beach Awards in Sweet Charity.

Michelle Woodley plays the part of Nellie Lovett, and Ryan’s brother Dan Boulton - now fully recovered from his GCSEs and his role last year as Jean Val Jean – plays as Antony.

Other principal roles are taken by Peter Thompson as Judge Turpin, Clive Wooldridge as Beadle Bamford, the young Lennie Stanford (Gavroche in les Misérables) as Tobias, and Laura Stephens as Johanna.

Vicar’s wife Sarah Jane Cross assumes the highly inappropriate role as the lively and crass Beggar Woman and Phil Rattray is the elaborate Italian barber Adolfi Pirelli.

These principal performances are supported by a chorus in full voice as Victorian Londoners and, at times, lunatics.

There are performances every day except Sunday August 16, beginning at 7.30pm and tickets up to £9 are now on sale. There is an opening night offer of just £5 per ticket.

They can be bought from the Regal Box Office (01643 706430), 10am-3pm Monday-Friday and 10am 1pm Saturday, or you can book on-line at www.regaltheatre.co.uk. Recommended 12A.