Epic revival of SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET announced at Birmingham Rep
Birmingham Rep have announced their bold and exciting new programme that will entertain audiences during 2026 and into 2027 in the debut season from newly appointed Artistic Director, Joe Murphy, including an epic revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street from 4 July-9 August 2026.
Directed by Joe Murphy and designed by Elin Steele, this dark and razor-sharp musical thriller follows Benjamin Barker, aka the mysterious barber Sweeney Todd, hell-bent on revenge after being wrongfully imprisoned for 15 years and so begins a chilling tale of murder, macabre and Mrs Lovett’s pies, in what is considered one of the greatest musicals ever written.
Other season highlights include a new staging of Andrea Levy’s award-winning novel Small Island; a distinctively Birmingham version of Shakespeare’s ever-popular A Midsummer Night’s Dream; a first-look script-in-hand concert performance of new musical Sweet Henry V; a major new revival of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time based on the critically acclaimed, award-winning novel by Mark Haddon; festive family fun for 2026 with Peter Pan; the world premiere cut-throat new comedy The Battle; and the return of acclaimed Rep productions A Thousand Splendid Suns and GrimeBoy.
On his first Rep season, Joe Murphy said: “This season is trying to offer a big, bold and daring programme that galvanises a diverse audience, that is unashamedly popular but is also put together with real integrity and real connection and commitment to our city and the concerns of our city.
“It is designed to do one thing: give people a really great night out. Whether that’s with the sheer joy and festive magic of Sherlock Holmes and The 12 Days of Christmas, or with the anarchy and wonder of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, or through the heartbreaking, gothic beauty of Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, these live theatre experiences are tailor-made to make our audiences laugh, cry, and feel alive.”
For more info on Sweeney Todd and all upcoming productions at Birmingham Rep, please click here.