Meet the Cast of Sweeney Todd: Monisha Parhar
/"This is my first show with 'Simply'..."
'Sweeney Todd' has an array of fascinating characters, so many of our cast get to play multiple roles.
Moni (Photo courtesy of FRONT OF HOUSE PHOTOGRAPHY)
Name: Monisha Parhar
Role: Young Lucy / Washerwoman / Inmate
Tell us about your character: Young Lucy is the faithful and loving wife of Benjamin Barker and mother of Johanna Barker. However, Lucy can be naive and this at times can result in a bad outcome.
Your favourite lyric your character has: “..freely flows the blood of those who moralize”, this line is suggesting whomever crosses Sweeney won’t get away with it. It’s so simple yet powerful.
Moni in rehearsal with Jon Bingham (Photo courtesy of FRONT OF HOUSE PHOTOGRAPHY)
What’s your favourite song in the show? I have so many songs I love in Sweeney, but if I had to choose one it would be “By the Sea”. This song is so well done by both Darren Street (Sweeney Todd) and Sarah Jones (Mrs Lovett). I feel this song adds a sense of humour to the play and also shows just how in love and infatuated Mrs Lovett is with Sweeney.
What other shows have you done? This is my first show with “Simply” and hopefully won’t be my last. I have also been in musicals such as Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat (Sister) and Grease (Cha-Cha DiGregorio). I have also been in straight acting plays such as Stockholm (Kali) and That Face (Izzy).
Moni in rehearsal with Ellie Lunt, Matt Hough & Daniel Owen (Photo courtesy of FRONT OF HOUSE PHOTOGRAPHY)
Has anything ever happened to you, on-stage, that wasn’t in the script? Luckily for me I haven't had that much bad luck. I do however remember one time in College when I had my tech run for “Cellblock Tango” from the play “Chicago” during which we had to straddle a chair. Somehow when I got to this move I managed to get my dance shoe stuck on the chair leg and ended up dragged it around with me for the next 16 counts. It was very embarrassing! I actually don’t think I have ever told that story to anyone so count yourself lucky!!
What musical moment first made you think, “I want to do that!”? I remember my first time on stage performing was at school. I had done dancing from a very young age at wedding’s and such, but I had never really sung in front of a big audience before. I was in Year 4, we had a talent show and I decided to sing. All I remember was being on stage in the huge hall with all of the years from 1-6 watching me. I was so nervous but I looked over and all my friends were smiling and mouthing “you can do it”. After performing I just remember feeling the happiest I’ve ever felt and I loved the feeling of singing a story to an audience. Everyone was so supportive. (I also remember the boy I fancied at the time came up to me and said I was really good and asked me out, which for me at that age was a big deal!)
What are you enjoying most about being part of Simply Theatre? The best thing about “Simply” is that they are all like a musical family to me. The moment I went to my first rehearsal everyone was so sweet and welcoming. I feel like I can be myself and not worry what people think, as we are all as crazy as one another.
What else do you do besides singing, dancing & acting? I’m a very performing arts based kind of girl. However, before I decided I wanted to go down the performing arts route, I wanted to be a photographer. I still love photography and have my own blog about my travels.