Blood to be spilt at opening of new theatre in Twickenham

London’s fringe theatre scene is set to expand with the launch of the 100-seat Twickenham Theatre in West London.

The theatre’s inagural season launches on September 10 with an intimate in-house production of Stephen Sondheim’s Victorian musical, Sweeney Todd, a story of gory revenge by a razor-wielding madman.

It will be co-produced by Twickenham Theatre and West End producer David Adkin.

Sweeney Todd director Derek Anderson says: “Setting the production in the intimate confines of Twickenham Theatre, with a cast of just nine and some clever staging, we can present Sondheim’s grizzly masterpiece as the claustrophobic, blood-curdling, musical thriller it truly is – and enable the diabolical intricacy of Sondheim’s lyrics to come to the forefront.”

Twickenham Theatre’s Executive Director, West End producer Tony Green , himself a local resident for 25 years, added: “Twickenham has not had any arts and entertainment venues available to production companies for over 250 years.

“By offering a new dedicated venue for quality theatre and other entertainment we can give locals the opportunity to experience some of the West End on their doorstep – and Londoners a reason to come to Twickenham – we’re only 20-minutes by train from Waterloo!”

As well as being a producing theatre, the London Road venue will provide a flexible rehearsal, performance and event space for visiting productions, entertainment artists, event bookers and local community groups.

Sweeney Todd will start previews from September 10 and run until October 4.