A HIGHLY-respected amateur dramatics group will return to the stage next week (February 5-9).

Durham Musical Theatre Company (DMTC) will present the musical Sweeney Todd at the Gala Theatre, Durham City, from Tuesday to Saturday.

The show, first staged in New York in 1979 and recently turned into a film starring Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter, tells the story of Benjamin Barker, a young barber in Victorian London who is wrongly accused and transported on the false evidence of a judge who desired his wife.

Years later, he returns home as Sweeney Todd and resumes his trade above Mrs Lovett’s pie shop, with gruesome consequences.

Anthony Smith stars in the leading role, with Eileen Glenton as Mrs Lovett and Clark Adamson as Judge Turpin.

There will be performances at 7.15pm each day, plus 2.15pm matinees on Wednesday and Saturday.

Tickets are priced £15.50 to £17.50. To book, visit galadurham.co.uk or call 0191-332-4041.