Birmingham Rep’s production of Sweeney Todd breaks box office records
Birmingham Rep’s production of ‘Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street’, which ended its run on Saturday 15 August, has broken box office records at The Rep.
The five-star production of Stephen Sondheim’s musical ended its run on Saturday 15 August.
Based on box office income generated over the number of performances it ran, it has become the theatre’s most successful musical production of all time.
Celebrated by critics and audiences alike, the show - directed by The Rep’s artistic director, Joe Murphy - sold 31,283 tickets, playing to 82 per cent capacity, and taking nearly £1.4million at the Box Office during its six-week run.
Audiences visited The Rep from all over the UK, with 40 per cent of those coming from Birmingham and the West Midlands.
Over 430 people saw the show more than once, with one person seeing it 19 times.
The production, which featured West End and Broadway star, Ramin Karimloo in the title role, singing sensation Meow Meow as Mrs Lovett, and three-time Olivier Award-winning actor David Bedella as Judge Turpin, garnered over twenty 5-star reviews.
Joe Murphy said: “When I decided to include Sweeney Todd in my first season here at The Rep I could never have imagined the reception it would get.
“That success is down to everyone who helped bring it to the stage, from the extraordinary company - led by Ramin, Meow and David - to the amazing creative team, and everyone at The Rep who works behind the scenes.
“I’m deeply proud that the show was made here in Birmingham. Everything, from the set, costumes and props, was created by our wonderfully talented craftspeople. And we rehearsed the production here too. I think that led to something really special.
“It’s brilliant that the show has been so popular, attracting people from across the globe to come to The Rep and Birmingham. Audiences truly took Sweeney to their hearts, and I’ve loved seeing how they responded to it with so much enthusiasm and delight.”
