Meet the Cast of Sweeney Todd: Ellie Lunt

"...really refreshing to work in such a professional environment"

'Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street' runs from Thursday 15th September until Saturday 17th at the Rhoda McGaw Theatre, Woking - tickets are on sale now. You can book at our box office.

Ellie in rehearsal with Anna Tippelt, Jon Bingham and Sarah Jones (Photo courtesy of FRONT OF HOUSE PHOTOGRAPHY)

Ellie in rehearsal with Anna Tippelt, Jon Bingham and Sarah Jones (Photo courtesy of FRONT OF HOUSE PHOTOGRAPHY)

Your Name: Ellie Lunt

Your Role: Shoe-shiner/Pickpocket, Inmate

Tell us about your character: My character is a shoe shiner by trade, trying to collect money by any means she can! She targets primarily men to pickpocket - and easy targets with big pockets!

Your favourite lyric (… or one you’re struggling to memorise!): “God that's good that is de-(have you)-licious, ever tasted, smelt such, oh my god what perfect, more, that's pies, such flavour, God that's good!” - Because it's so beautifully confusing and difficult to learn!

Everyone knows something of the Sweeney Todd story (slitting throats and dubious pies), but what extra will we get from the Simply version of this Sondheim telling? I think the audience gain a further insight into the relationship between Johanna (Emma Hough) and Anthony (Jamie Wilson)! I think that the way that the characters relate (and both Emma and Jamie fully embody the characters) gives a new dimension for the audience. Also, I believe the audience will gain further insight into the story of Sweeney Todd through the ensemble work throughout the piece because, as an ensemble, we work well together to appropriately provide the audience with the correct information to get a feel for the environment the characters are in.

Ellie (Photo courtesy of FRONT OF HOUSE PHOTOGRAPHY)

Ellie (Photo courtesy of FRONT OF HOUSE PHOTOGRAPHY)

What’s your favourite song in the show and why? My favorite song in the show is ‘A Little Priest’. I think it brings out the true nature of Mrs Lovett’s character! Also, Sarah Jones (Mrs Lovett) and Darren Street (Sweeney Todd) perform the song so well and you get to see the relationship forming between the characters.

What other shows have you done? Other shows I have done include Cabaret (Fraulein Kost), Marine Parade (Claire), The Believers (Mariane), Macbeth (3rd Witch) and I've been ensemble in shows such as Fame, Return to the Forbidden Planet and Sweet Charity.

Ellie in rehearsal with Anna Tippelt, and Monisha Parhar (Photo courtesy of FRONT OF HOUSE PHOTOGRAPHY)

Ellie in rehearsal with Anna Tippelt, and Monisha Parhar (Photo courtesy of FRONT OF HOUSE PHOTOGRAPHY)

What musical moment first made you think, “I want to do that!”? I think the first time I stepped on stage in year 5 was when I thought that maybe I would like to be more involved in musical theatre. And then, as I became more aware of the ‘musical world’, I became more and more interested! 

What are you enjoying most about being part of Simply Theatre? I enjoy the people! As I am new to Simply Theatre, it has given me the opportunity to get to know people I wouldn't ordinarily meet, all of different ages and backgrounds, but sharing the same interest in theatre. It's also really refreshing to work in such a professional environment.

What else do you do besides singing, dancing & acting? That's a very good question! Because I do theatre at uni, I don't have much of a life away from theatre!  However, I enjoy playing guitar and used to do gymnastics and trampolining. I also work in a pub pulling pints and waitressing!!