ANYONE who only knows Jason Donovan as one of the most famous residents of Ramsay Street in Australia will get a shock when they see him in this latest role.

His Sweeney Todd character, lovingly referred to as "The Demon Barber of Fleet Street", is just about as far as you could get from his boy next door role in Neighbours.

He has already proved his versatility after starring in productions of The Rocky Horror Show and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

His dark, sinister and wild-eyed performance of the notorious 19th century serial killer deserves high praise as does the entire production, written by Steven Sondheim and directed by John Doyle, as the dingy Victorian London streets are brought back to life thanks to the energy of the show.

Through clever symbolism and music that fits the main characters descent into madness, it actually feels like you have witnessed a blood-fest without seeing anyone meet a graphic or gory demise.

A special mention must also go to Harriet Thorpe, well-known for her role in The Brittas Empire, who was excellent as Todd's Cockney partner in crime and baker of pies with interesting fillings, Mrs Lovett.

PW