Nationwide casting call for concert performance of Sweeney Todd with NSO

Nationwide casting call for young actors for concert performance of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street with the National Symphony Orchestra and Irish Youth Musical Theatre at the National Concert Hall

On Friday 25 July, the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO), by arrangement with Music Theatre International, will partner with Irish Youth Musical Theatre (IYMT) and the Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM) at the National Concert Hall for a concert performance by young actors aged 16 to 25 of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street with music and lyricsby Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler.

This concert performance will be led by the creative team of Irish West End director, Séimí Campbell, Music Supervisor, Sarah Travis, who returns to Sweeney Todd twenty years on from winning a Tony-Award for the show on Broadway in 2005. It will be conducted by Anthony Gabriele, renowned for his work as a Musical Director on London’s West End and a leading name in the genre of Film with Orchestra in concert.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street follows on from the hugely successful concert performance of Evita with IYMT in 2022. As with Evita in Concert, this unique model is designed to offer performance, mentorship and training opportunities in a professional environment for young actors aged 16 to 25 years from both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The roles of Sweeney Todd, the titular barber, and his equally demented accomplice, pie shop-owner, Mrs Lovett, will be played by professional actors. All other roles will be cast on the basis of open auditions for young actors in training and recently graduated actors. Such roles include Johanna Barker, Anthony Hope, Tobias Ragg, Judge Turpin, The Beadle, Beggar Woman, Adolfo Pirelli, Jonas Fogg, as well as a Featured Ensemble and Chorus. Following a four-day rehearsal period in April, the company will reconvene in July for three weeks of intensive training culminating with the concert performance on Friday 25 July at the National Concert Hall. 

Presented in partnership with the Royal Irish Academy of Music.

Audition Information

Casting is now open to all actors aged 14-25 for the following roles: Johanna Barker, Anthony Hope, Tobias Ragg, Judge Turpin, The Beadle, Beggar Woman, Adolfo Pirelli, Jonas Fogg, as well as a Featured Ensemble and Chorus.

Applicants should complete the form below, outlining any experience and/or training (if any), and upload a self-tape no longer than 90 seconds that best demonstrates their acting through song. You may select any song of your choice (not limited to Sweeney Todd) that best showcases your skill and range.

The closing date for applications is Friday 21 February at 6pm. Callbacks will be held in person at the National Concert Hall in March.

Successful cast members will be required at rehearsals on the following dates:

• 22nd - 25th April, RIAM Dublin (named principals and featured ensemble only)
• 26th April, RIAM Dublin (principals, featured ensemble, and chorus)
• 7th - 11th July, RIAM Dublin (named principals and featured ensemble only)
• 14th - 18th July, RIAM Dublin (principals, featured ensemble, and chorus)
• 21st - 25th July, NCH Dublin (principals, featured ensemble, and chorus)

Concert Performance at the National Concert Hall, Dublin, on Friday 25th July

Course fees:

• €450 tuition fees for principals and featured ensemble
• €320 tuition fees for chorus

We look forward to working with the next generation of musical theatre talent from across the island this summer.