April 20 to 24, Bath Theatre Royal: A trip to Bath could put you off eating meat pies for life. That's because Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street, is coming to town.

Stephen Sondheim's most macabre musical hits the Theatre Royal Bath next week.

Paul Hegarty, who will play Sweeney said: "It will leave the audience clutching their throats. But it's a real thrill."

The plot is based on the legend of a half-mad 19th century English barber, who is driven to crime when an evil judge steals his wife and child.

Sweeney fights back and teams up with Mrs Lovett who works in a pie shop.

Mrs Lovett, played by Karen Mann, becomes the driving force behind Sweeney's retribution, as she puts her mincing machine to murderous use.

Paul said: "There is a wonderful song about people being turned into pies. Sweeney and Mrs Lovett are the ultimate gruesome twosome."

Directed by John Doyle, the actors also employ their musical talents.

Karen Mann plays a mean tune on the trumpet and Paul plays percussion.

He said: "My musical expertise is more limited, so I play the triangle, drums and cymbals."

By coincidence, rehearsals for the production took place at the Newbury Racecourse, which boasts a pie and chips kiosk. One of the props, a coffin, has also proved a source of amusement.

Paul said: "Sometimes people have been left in there for too long and forgotten about. When they bang on the lid, we know it's time to let them out."

Paul, now in his 40s has been acting for about 20 years.

After graduating with a degree in English and Drama, he abandoned the idea of becoming a teacher and enrolled at the Rose Bruford Theatre School in London.

He said: "Acting doesn't run in the family. My parents are teachers. But I have no regrets about avoiding that pro-fession."

Although he has spent years on the repertory circuit, Paul has also done TV work.

His most recent role was playing a senior fire officer in the drama Doctors and he has also appeared in Casualty, Down To Earth and Taggart.

Paul says he likes doing TV because it means he can live at home in London and spend more time with his wife, actress Barbara Horne, and their two teenage children.

He said: "They came to see me in Sweeney but weren't scared. When I was hiding under a sheet, they said: 'We could see you breathing underneath.'"

Paul's perfect night of relaxation would involve taking his wife out to dinner.

He said: "It would probably be somewhere very expensive,"

As for is future ambitions, he fancies starring in a sit com such as The Family, The Office or a new Blackadder.

Sweeney Todd runs from April 20 to 24. Tickets cost from £11.50 and £28. To book call 01225 448815.