A "POWERFUL, compelling, shocking and moving" new version of Stephen Sondheim's most bloodthirsty musical comes to Guildford's Yvonne Arnaud theatre from May 17 to 22.

Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (pictured) is the macabre tragicomedy based on the legend of a nineteenth century English barber.

Driven to crime when an evil judge takes his wife and child from him, Todd vows to bring justice to all the people of London.

Forming a cut-throat partnership with an enterprising bar mistress, the couple's meat pies soon become the taste of the town.

Stephen Sondheim has been responsible for numerous classic musicals, including West Side Story, A Little Night Music, Gypsy and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.

This new version is produced by the award-winning Watermill Theatre Company.

Director John Doyle, who has won the British Theatre Award for Best Production of a Musical on three occasions, and been nominated on three others, all within the last 10 years, said: "When you adapt a piece of theatre for 10 multi-skilled actor-musicians, you have obvious restrictions, but endless scope.

"We are not a large company because intimacy is our main ingredient and recognition that the relationship between the performer and the watcher, even in the largest of venues, is what it's all about. It's what keeps it live."

Ticket prices for the play, (£7 to £24.50) can be purchased from the box office on 01483 440000.