For the most part, people don’t sing songs about murder and cannibalism. In the dreary world of “Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”, arguably one of the darkest musicals around, this idea is changed. It’s a twisted tale about a man who has lost everything and embarks on a life of violence as a means of coping with his bitter existence. The role of Sweeny Todd is one that can be both challenging and rewarding, Junior Austin Madison has taken on the role of portraying this classic anti-hero.
From his first role as a police officer in the campy classic “Bye Bye Birdie,” to portraying one of the most menacing characters in musical theatre history, Sweeny Todd, Madison has done it all. Both on stage and behind the scenes, Madison has been able to be involved in almost every part of the theatrical process.
“I’ve done acting, I’ve been a carpenter and lighting technician. I was the sound designer for “Evil Dead.”I’ve done a little of everything except for like costumes. That’s the great thing about Longwood’s theatre department, you get an opportunity to do a little of everything.” However, Madison said his favorite role thus far has been being able to sit in the director’s chair.
“My senior year I wrote and directed my own one act. It was senior directed so we called it ‘Senior Night Live.’ It was just a group of ridiculous sketches, but it was so much fun.” For the most part, Madison has taken on more lighthearted roles in his past. Having to portray such a dark character required a lot of work.
“I’m doing a lot of research, I was able to go into a shop and a barber actually showed me how to do a straight shave. Doing a lot of investigation into the mind of a serial killer because you have to know what makes them tick.” Madison went on, “I watched some documentaries that had interviews with serial killers. It’s kind of scary because you have to go deeper into your mind than you might necessarily want to and you scare yourself sometimes, but you have to be able to connect with the character”
Aside from the intense character development that Madison did on his own, the cast and crew have a rigorous rehearsal schedule. “We have been putting in the hours because if you want results you have to put in the hours,” said Madison. “We rehearse about five hours a night, and we get one night off a week. We started rehearsals the day we got back from break, January twelfth. It’s really fun though, and we have a great time.”
“Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street”opens Thursday, Feb. 12 at 7P.M. Shows will run for two weekends, Feb. 12 – 15 and Feb. 19-22. Showtimes are Thursday through Saturday at 7P.M and Sundays at 3 P.M. Tickets are ten dollars for the general public, eight dollars for anyone with a college I.D and six dollars for those with a Longwood student I.D.
