Kacey Ainsworth joins Sweeney Todd cast at Liverpool Everyman

EastEnders and Grantchester’s Kacey Ainsworth is to play Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd at the Liverpool Everyman this spring.

The 50-year-old actress will make her Everyman debut appearing opposite Liam Tobin as the demon barber in the new version of Stephen Sondheim’s cult musical, directed by Nick Bagnall.

Casting also includes a return to Hope Street for former Everyman Rep actors Dean Nolan and Paul Duckworth.

Nolan, who was in Fiddler on the Roof, Conquest of the South Pole and Romeo and Juliet in 2017, as well as playing Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream for Bagnall, will appear as rival barber Pirelli.

And Duckworth, most recently seen in Paint Your Wagon and Othello, will play Judge Turpin.

The cast also includes Merseyside actor Mark Rice-Oxley as the Beadle, Keziah Joseph as Johanna Barker, Shiv Rabheru as Joseph, and Bryan Perry as Anthony.

Nick Bagnall said: “I’m really excited to be working with this group of actors for Sweeney Todd. It will be great to see old Company members, as well as some new faces, on the Everyman stage.

“It’s a show that packs a real political punch and the music is incredible, but also the story’s so fascinating – it’s gruesome, dangerous, dark and funny.

“Most productions of Sweeney Todd have around 25 to 30 cast members, but our ensemble will include just nine talented actors who can sing for this production.

“Adding to the fact that we will be performing it in the round, this will be a stripped-back, rough, hard-edged, soulful and a show tailor-made for Everyman audiences.”

Ainsworth, whose theatre credits include Calendar Girls, The Taming of the Shrew, Carrie's War and, most recently, Holes at Nottingham Playhouse, Tweeted her excitement at her 'dream job', writing: “Finally….I can say it out loud!”

Sweeney Todd will be staged at the Everyman from April 12 to May 18. Tickets HERE