Some chilling moments delivered courtesy of Starcatcher Productions
By Mai DaSilva
August 27, 2026
Starcatcher Productions, the well-known Kahnawake, Chateauguay and Montreal Community theatre, performs another stellar season with this summer’s production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Marking the company’s second year performing at the renowned Centaur Theatre, the production fills the theatre’s recently reopened large proscenium space, being one of the first community theatre productions to do so.
Producing a show like Sweeney Todd comes with challenges; staging horror onstage while performing the notoriously tricky Sondheim scores is no easy task. However, under Ainsley Tsokwenion‘s direction, the cast and creative team excel at bringing this world to life.
A strong team of designers builds the world, setting the mood and atmosphere the moment you enter the Centaur 2 space. Onstage, we distinctly see the grungy London space, with Mrs Lovett’s Pie shop, and the chilling upstairs barbershop. Designed by Diya Kapoor and Sara Malo-Koch, the set takes the cake the moment a trapdoor swings open, and members of the cast plummet to their deaths. Additionally, adding to these deathly moments, with a quick slash from our killer, a gush of blood sprays from each cast member, earning gasps from a crowd of audience members across the filled-out theatre.
Setting this production apart from previous Starcatcher Productions was the onstage 14-piece orchestra, conducted by producer/music director Kirk Elsmore. Kirk’s work as music director, assisted by Aaron Delaney, was not unseen, helping the cast and orchestra take the challenging score to the big stage. The collective effort of this orchestra and cast takes what is known as one of the most difficult musicals and makes it look easy.
As always, Starcatcher brings together another uniquely talented cast of performers from all over the surrounding areas. This production brought many new faces to light, while also giving classic faces fresh roles. The leading duo of Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett, performed by Gage Karahkwí:io Diabo and Erin Yardley-Jones, had audiences on the edge of their seats. Individually, Gage brought the blood-curdling Sweeney Todd to life in a way that brings chills to audience members, all while Erin Yardley-Jones’ characterization of Mrs. Lovett makes it feel as though it was a role written just for her. Together, the chaos-dwelling duo sets the scene.
As always, Starcatcher brings together another uniquely talented cast of performers from all over the surrounding areas… The leading duo of Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett, performed by Gage Karahkwí:io Diabo and Erin Yardley-Jones, had audiences on the edge of their seats.
A standout moment in the show was the duet Not While I’m Around between Yardley-Jones and Meghan Pomroy as Tobias “Tobey” Ragg, the troubled yet kindhearted boy. It was that moment in Musical Theatre where you know things are about to go wrong, but that we’ll sit in the sweetness while we can. The moment was simultaneously sweet, tender and haunting.
This production gave the opportunity to explore range like never before; Sara Scarfo, known for her work as Jo March in Starcatcher’s last production, Little Women, chills onstage in a role so drastically different from the year before, showcasing her range and talent. Moreover, Lucas Amato, known across the Montreal theatre scene for his comedic timing and unserious nature, takes on the dreadful role of Judge Turpin and surprises audiences with every step. There was almost an expectation that he would turn out and crack a joke, which arguably made the performance all the more alarming.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street runs at Centaur Theatre until August 29.
Starcatcher prides itself on offering Pay What You Decide tickets.
Feature image: Ainsley Tsokwenion
Mai DaSilva is an emerging multidisciplinary artist based near Montreal. A John Abbott College theatre student, she has acted in several productions and independently produced her own scripts.
