Footscray actor Lee Threadgold has won the title role in an upcoming production of Sweeney Todd. 70588 Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI
By Charlene Gatt
FOOTSCRAY actor Lee Threadgold is embracing the darker side of acting.
The 42-year-old thespian has been selected to star in an upcoming production of Sweeney Todd as the broody title role.
“It is a role I have wanted to play for some time and consider myself lucky to have been given the opportunity to be involved,” Mr Threadgold said.
The legend of Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, is a musical thriller which goes back more than 200 years.
It tells the tale of a barber who, after being transported on false charges, returns to London to take his revenge.
The dark themes have become somewhat familiar to Mr Threadgold, who has been typecast in similar roles in recent years, including the Beast in Beauty and the Beast and Jean Valjean in Les Miserables.
“It very much depends on the type of person you are character-wise,” he said.
“I tend to get all these Sweeney Todd-type roles – the last major role I had was Jekyll and Hyde.
“My voice range, my vocal qualities, I’ve got quite a severe look about myself. I’m too old to play all the juvenile and love interest leads, now that I’ve matured with age, I’m getting the chance to play what I consider more interesting, dark roles.”
Born in the UK, Mr Threadgold caught the acting bug of his sister Jane, who worked at West End Theatre.
Mr Threadgold is also a tour guide for Go West Tours, which offer tours down the Great Ocean Road, Phillip Island, Yarra Valley wine tours and crime tours around Melbourne.
“I am realistic to know that there’s a lot of actors out there and I’ve taken a step backwards from professional theatre, just because I needed more permanent work,” he said.
“It’s hard to live on the bits and pieces that come along.
“I guess my job involves theatrics as well… so it’s probably the next best thing.”
Sweeney Todd will run from 14 to 29 October at the Geoffrey McComas Theatre. Tickets available at www.osmad.com.au
