PIES, WITH NO EVIL

FINGER-lickin’ good pies are taken literally in a new production of Sweeney Todd.

The opera, set in Victorian England, is about a murderous, evil pie maker whose pies are filled with the body parts of her victims.

The cast of this Victorian Opera production are getting into the spirit, making pies every night to be used in the show.

A Victorian Opera spokesman said there has been something of a competition to see who comes up with the best pie.

“They have been made to look awful because in the show they’re supposed to be the worst pies in England but they actually taste delicious, made from short crust pastry and filled with mince and gravy,” he said.

“Teddy Tahu Rhodes has been enjoying chomping into those in Act 1.’’

In Act 2 there are 18 pies made by the crew, made with puff pastry that is buttered before being baked, and lacquered after to get that golden brown look, but they aren’t eaten and are hollow.

Sweeney Todd opens tomorrow at the Playhouse.

Picture: NATHAN DYER Cast members Danielle Calder, Jeremy Kleeman and Noni McCallum will perform in Sweeney Todd, set in Victorian England, about a wicked pie maker who uses the body parts of victims to fill the pies, at the Playhouse, Melbourne Arts Centre.