Sweeney Todd stars on the power of musicals on audiences

Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton co-star in the West End revival of Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd.

The musical is about a barber who slits his customers' throats before his friend Mrs Lovett bakes their remains into pies.

Mr Ball and Mrs Staunton, who will co-host the Lawrence Olivier Awards at the Royal Opera House in April, told Radio 5 live's Richard Bacon about musicals being dismissed by theatre fans.

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Richard Bacon broadcasts Monday to Thursday 1400 to 1600 on Radio 5 live.