Our Made in Colchester production of Sweeney Todd has given some gifted local actors the chance to shine on the Mercury stage alongside some of the best West End talent. We chat with Jenna Saiz, one of our Community Chorus, about her experience of being involved in this 5 star production.
“I first ‘attended the tale of Sweeney Todd’ back in 2011 with Colchester Operatic Society at our very own Mercury Theatre. My best friend Mel played Mrs Lovett and I played a series of rich and poor folk in Victorian London. We had an absolute ball and since then my appreciation for all things Sondheim has grown.
Having spent two years acting abroad, I returned to work on the box office at the Mercury, so I could remain at the hub of Colchester’s lively theatre scene, and stay connected to the diverse and exciting productions in the town. I became more connected than I had expected, however, when the opportunity arose – through the Mercury’s Community Chorus project – to be involved in the current production of Sweeney Todd.
Having graduated from Guildford School of Acting several years ago, and spent some time with educational theatre companies in France and Italy, I had decided to experience the theatre industry from the other side of the box office when I joined the Mercury team in 2014. I was not expecting to have the opportunity to be on the stage again so soon, but after discovering that the experience was open not just to theatre graduates, but to everyone with an interest, I signed up to be a part of the chorus with the Sweeney cast.
It has been a really wonderful experience to once again be a part of a professional production with some stunning actors. To be standing on the stage, as part of a close-knit team, in front of an appreciative audience, is an experience unmatched by any other; and that this opportunity is on offer to some of those usually sitting on the auditorium side of the curtain is a really exciting idea.
Besides working alongside the great cast, it has been an interesting and fulfilling experience to be under the direction of Daniel Buckroyd and Cressida Carre, and feel the thrill of the pressures in bringing the production to performance standards within limited rehearsals. We had approximately five rehearsals to mirror the ‘tracks’ made by the Community Chorus in Derby. We received audio clips and the musical dots and we were encouraged to get some autonomous practise in. For me, it was a great help having done the show before, it is really impossible to get Sondheim’s melodies out of your head.
My favourite scene to be part of is God That’s Good. There is just so much going on, particularly musically. Not only do we get to sing, but we also get to munch on pies! One of my favourite moments of the production is By The Sea. It is superbly acted by Sophie-Louise Dann. Her Mrs Lovett is just stunning and is testament to the awesome talent that come through the doors of the Mercury Theatre.
For those who have not had the opportunity to be a part of a theatre production before, it is an amazing chance to be as close to the action as you will ever be likely to be: standing on the exquisite sets; squinting beyond the heat of the stage lights; getting the indescribable waves of adrenaline before the first step beyond the wings; and at the end, feeling exhausted, delight in hearing the applause of the Mercury audiences.
The Mercury is becoming a hub for local creatives, and the experience that the Community Chorus offers in performing alongside seasoned pros is just one example of this (the awesome Essex Theatre Artist Networks and the newly established Early Career Training Program being other great examples). While I will enjoy returning to the box office after the run is over, my involvement with this production has given me a real drive to get singing again and to throw myself back into the excitement of performing in other great shows like Sweeney Todd.
By the way, the pies are most delicious!”
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