Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Queen St

Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Queen Street
Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Queen Street

The Demon Barber of Fleet Street has arrived on Auckland's Queen St, with the bloody musical thriller Sweeney Todd showing on the Civic stage from Saturday.

The New Zealand Opera has teamed up with Australia's Victorian Opera and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra to bring Sweeney Todd to barbaric life, and actor Chris McRae says it's "absolutely enormous".

The barber himself is being played by New Zealand baritone legend Teddy Tahu Rhodes. He's joined on stage by Australian soprano Antoinette Halloran as Mrs Lovett - his murderous partner in crime.

McRae says he's trying to learn as much from the pro as he can by osmosis.

"The people involved are some of the best in the country, easily."

Newshub.