LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS

Little Shop of Horrors is usually quite a small scale musical so I questioned the choice for a summer workshop production with a large number of participants. I shouldn’t have worried as Simon, Michelle and Rea involved their chorus of 60 at every opportunity – sometimes all together as in the rousing opening numbers “Little Shop of horrors” and “Skid Row (Downtown)” and sometimes a few to add background interest or dress the stage. Every one of the young ensemble was well drilled in choreography and fully engaged in the action. Their enjoyment in taking part was evident throughout. From minor principals up, all were well cast – Sarah Littler, Alex Spence, Cameron Beattie, Ben Armstrong as Mrs Luce, Skip Snip, Bernstein, Patrick Martin & the Customer. It was a pity that Skip Snip’s microphone was not on.

The Plant was very well voiced and operated by Aaron Abernethy and David Gray – very difficult and exhausting roles! Jack Cranston made a very convincing Mr Mushnik – the old Jewish flower shop owner. His duet with Seymour – “Mushnik and Son” was absolutely hilarious! He portrayed an elderly man effectively without overdoing it. Another role which can be overplayed is the Dentist Orin Scrivello (DDS) , but Isaac O’Brien got it just right. His “I am your dentist” with the Ronettes worked really well and “It’s just the Gas” with “Now” from Seymour was good comedy. I look forward to seeing Isaac progress on stage. Amy Galashan, Sian McCullough, Zoe Vance, Lucy Nettleship, Charlotte Houston and Erin Moore made up the group of street urchins, The Ronettes, – all very different in stature, costume and character but together they harmonised well and were always on hand to comment on, or take part in the action.
Grace Conroy took the role of Audrey – abused by her dentist boyfriend but a sweet girl who longs for an ordinary suburban life - Grace was very likeable and convincing. She sang “Somewhere that’s green”
most beautifully. The nerdy Seymour was played to perfection by Michael Nevin – his actions and reactions were always spot on and his onstage rapport with other actors was very good. I think that his young man has a bright future ahead of him if he takes a professional pathway.

The Set, which came from another musical society, worked well. The shop was a little cramped at times but, considering it often had 4 or 5 rows of dancing in front of it, just as well it wasn’t any bigger! Props were all appropriate – the flower shop was well dressed with minimum floral display which was augmented after being “Closed for Renovation” (although there should have been a wreath for the “funeral account”.) The Plant ‘grew’ well and looked suitably ‘out of control’ in the last scenes. Sound was clear and Lighting variable (occasionally singers had to start in the dark) but good gobos. Costumes were probably sourced by the cast – some were more authentically 60s than others!

MD Geoffrey’s small band of four did full justice to the slightly updated score and was always sympathetic to the singers. Michelle and Rea made a fine job of choreography for the huge ensemble. It was well rehearsed and adapted to the varying dance abilities. Routines for small groups and individuals were well devised. Simon directed an impressively tight and pacey show in a short period of rehearsal time.

Many thanks to everyone who contributed to my special evening’s entertainment.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.