Blood, revenge and black humor: Emmanuel Degracia is playing Sweeney Todd

Emmanuel Degracia, an Argentine stage actor known for his versatility and commitment to challenging roles, has taken on the formidable task of portraying Benjamin Barker in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, a musical based on the infamous tale of a vengeful barber. The production, staged by Velka Producciones, will open on August 15 at 8:30 PM in the newly renovated Teatro Santa María in Buenos Aires. This revival of Stephen Sondheim’s dark classic promises a powerful theatrical experience, blending blood, vengeance, and black humor into a compelling narrative. The musical, with music and lyrics by Sondheim and a book by Hugh Wheeler, is adapted from Christopher Bond's play. It follows the tragic story of Benjamin Barker, a once-revered barber who is unjustly exiled and returns to London under the alias Sweeney Todd. His quest for revenge against the corrupt Judge Turpin leads him to collaborate with the cunning and ambitious Mrs. Lovett, whose bakery becomes the site of a horrifying spiral of obsession and murder. The production features a large cast including Anabella Boron as Mrs. Lovett, alongside actors such as Tomás Vila, Lucía Louzan, Alfredo Alesandro, Mario Angelome, Agustín Iannone, Nacho Batti, and Aimara Vázquez. The ensemble includes Marian Lorena Vázquez, José Fiz, Lucía Ingol, Chiara Rodó, Hernán Cáceres, Camila Schuale, and Santiago Sastre. Degracia described the role as both a personal challenge and a professional milestone. “It’s a musical I need to do to push myself, to know myself, and to show what I feel I can achieve,” he explained. He emphasized the emotional and technical demands of the performance, noting that the production involves scenes of high psychological and technical intensity. “They’re beautiful because there isn’t a scene that doesn’t challenge us, that doesn’t try something new, that doesn’t explore something different. With the entire cast, we’re experimenting with new things because the story is brutal for everyone.” The staging of the production reflects this intensity. The Teatro Santa María has been transformed into a two-level structure, with the barber shop located upstairs and Mrs. Lovett’s bakery downstairs. Degracia praised the venue’s renewed condition, calling it one of the best in the area. “I didn’t recognize the theater when I came back, it looks completely different now. There aren’t many theaters on Corrientes that have such excellent technical and infrastructure standards.” He also highlighted the vocal demands of the role, comparing it to his previous work in Don Giovanni. “Sweeney is right up there in terms of vocal requirements.” The production’s themes resonate deeply with contemporary issues. One of the musical’s key songs, “What’s the Matter with Me?” contains a metaphorical critique of societal behavior, suggesting that people consume each other in a manner akin to cannibalism. Degracia interpreted this as a sharp commentary on modern society, relevant not just in Argentina but globally. “This song speaks to how in our world, people eat each other, literally and figuratively. It’s a brutal criticism that applies today more than ever.” As the production prepares to debut, anticipation is building among theater enthusiasts and critics alike. With its blend of historical intrigue, psychological depth, and artistic ambition, Sweeney Todd promises to be a landmark performance in Buenos Aires’ theatrical landscape. The audience can expect a night filled with tension, emotion, and the unmistakable power of live theatre.