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Character Breakdown

A NOTE ABOUT ACCENTS

All roles will use character-specific accents. It is not required to prepare an accent for initial auditions. However, those invited to callbacks should be prepared to attempt the character’s accent. Accents will be worked on throughout the rehearsal process, therefore, they do not need to be perfect.

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The show will primarily work with these three British dialects:

  • Estuary English - Modern London accent which blends working and middle-class speech. Example: Tom Holland, Kate Winslet

  • Received Pronunciation (RP) - Often called “proper” or “standard” British. Clear, polished, and associated with education and authority. Example: The Royal Family

  • Cockney - Traditional working-class East London accent. Example: Michael Caine

Roles

SWEENEY TODD (Baritone/Bass) Wrongfully imprisoned barber who returns to London for revenge. Charismatic yet volatile; hardened by loss but still capable of vulnerability. Estuary dialect.

 

MRS. LOVETT (Mezzo with belt) Resourceful pie shop owner in love with Sweeney. Practical, ambitious, darkly comedic. Cockney dialect.

 

ANTHONY HOPE (Tenor) Idealistic young sailor who falls for Johanna. Romantic, impulsive, and well-meaning. Estuary or RP dialect.

 

JOHANNA (Soprano) Sweeney’s daughter and Turpin’s ward. Confined but strong-willed; romantic, perceptive, and quietly defiant. RP dialect.

 

TOBIAS RAGG (Tenor) Naive but observant apprentice to Adolfo Pirelli. Loyal and eager to please; trauma pushes him toward darkness. Cockney dialect.

 

JUDGE TURPIN (Bass/Baritone) Corrupt, self-righteous judge official. Hypocritical and predatory; struggles between lust and morality. RP dialect.

 

BEADLE BAMFORD (Tenor with strong falsetto) Confident, dry-humored public official loyal to Turpin. Enjoys authority and control. RP dialect.

 

BEGGAR WOMAN (Mezzo) Haunted street woman with flashes of clarity. Tragic, prophetic presence who holds hidden truths. Cockney or Estuary dialect.

 

ADOLFO PIRELLI (High Tenor) Flamboyant barber with shifting personas. Theatrical, sly and explosive when threatened. Italian & Irish accent. **The actor cast as Pirelli will also perform in the ensemble when available**

 

JONAS FOGG (Speaking role, sings with Ensemble) Owner of Fogg’s Asylum; coldly paternal and morally detached. Estuary dialect.

 

ENSEMBLE (All voice & dialect types) The ensemble acts as a Greek Chorus, commenting on the action and participating in the tale. They are the show’s main storytellers, taking on the roles of customers, townspeople, police, asylum inmates, Sweeney’s thoughts, and Sweeney’s victims. The ensemble gets ample opportunities for vocal challenges and is showcased with solos and harmonies throughout the show. 

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