The Guardian's theatre critic reviews a new production of Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd at Birmingham Rep, directed by Joe Murphy and starring Ramin Karimloo as the murderous barber and Meow Meow as his pie-making landlady Mrs Lovett. The review praises the staging as a superb, opera-inspired interpretation that leans into the dark, fairytale-like roots of the story, marking it as a strong revival of Sondheim's classic musical.

The production is set on a stark, concrete-grey set dominated by a statue of Lady Justice, with a chorus that performs in stylised, statuesque poses under icy lighting, evoking a corrupt legal system and a grimy Victorian London. Karimloo's stern, unsmiling portrayal of Todd is highlighted as giving the character an unexpected nobility, while Meow Meow's Mrs Lovett brings comic swagger alongside strong singing from the whole cast. The show runs at Birmingham Rep until 15 August.