Little Shop of Horrors

Little Shop of Horrors a musical presented by students from St John Rigby College at St John Rigby College, Gathurst Road, Orrell on Tuesday, 22nd November, 2022

Little Shop of Horrors is a delectable sci-fi horror musical with an electrifying 1960s pop/rock score by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman containing several well-known tunes, including the title song, ‘Skid Row (Downtown)’, ‘Somewhere That's Green’, and ‘Suddenly, Seymour’.  Seymour Krelborn is a meek and dejected assistant working at Mushnik’s Floral Shop, who happens upon a strange plant, which he affectionately names ‘Audrey II’ after his crush at the shop. Little does he know that this strange and unusual plant will develop a soulful R&B voice, a potty mouth, and an unquenchable thirst for HUMAN BLOOD. As ‘Audrey II’ grows bigger and meaner, the carnivorous plant promises limitless fame and fortune to Seymour, as long as he continues providing a fresh supply of blood. Just when it’s too late, Seymour discovers Audrey II’s extra-terrestrial origins and its true drive for world-domination!

On our arrival and having spoken with the ever present and always welcoming representatives of the St John Rigby College Steven and Christine Wall, you could just tell that ‘something special’ was happening!  That ‘something special’ was not the fact that they were staging their first musical since the 26th November 2019, nor was it that the fact that the theatre was ‘full to the rafters’, nor was it the buzz of anticipation and excitement running through the reception area, which was ‘tangible’… no, the answer was far simpler than that… they just knew that this was the first opportunity for this new crop of talented students to ‘show off’ their amazing talents in front of a ‘live audience’!  I had the privilege, some weeks earlier, to visit and speak with the cast during a rehearsal, one of only seven rehearsals these students had, to put this musical on stage… we were not to be disappointed!

The Production Team… David Wall (Director/Musical Director), Lyla Waterworth-Sharp (Choreographer) and Lily Ivanusca (Assistant Choreographer) should all be congratulated for some great casting, great sound and some simple, yet effective choreography that played to the strengths of all the cast.  David had under his wing an orchestra which included Corey Gerrard (Key2), Joe Dickman (Guitar), Sonny Williams (Bass), Kian Winstanley (Drums), Grace Butcher, Lucy Edwards, Robert Morris and Charlotte Mulhearn (Woodwind) and Abbie Gould, Megan Owen and Clifford Ray (Brass) … with the exception of Corey Gerrard (an SJR alumnus) and Clifford Ray, all were current college students… amazing sound folks, be ever so proud!

The Cast… we had a cast of fourteen students on stage, all of whom were ready and willing to give their all!  As most will know, this is where I ‘stick the old neck out’ and start identifying MY favourite performances from the production…I stress in every review, these are MY favourites, ask others and they may well have other considerations… MY ‘SHOWSTEALER’ ... had two close contenders... Caitlin Haselden, who took on the role of ‘Audrey’ the ‘ditzy assistant’ at Mushnik’s Floral Shop, a romantic whose is constantly abused by her boyfriend and Callum Charlson, who was that abusive boyfriend, ‘Orin Scrivello DDS’, a sadistic dominant dentist, who is addicted to the gas used in his practice!  Both Caitlin and Callum created two outstanding characters, both had great stage presence, wonderful mannerisms, they were never out of character and they worked really well together and with the rest of the cast!  But…I chose Caitlin as my ‘showstealer’ why… because of her amazing vocals and in particular, her amazing solo rendition of ‘Somewhere that’s Green’… (so emotional… goose bumps) outstanding, brought the house down… be ever so proud Caitlin, great job…  also, well-done Callum, be proud!  Lewis Murphy took on the lead role of ‘Seymour Krelborn’, the ‘nerdy’ well-meaning shop assistant, who, during a ‘total eclipse’ discovers an unusual flesh-eating plant who he names Audrey II after the love of his life and fellow shop assistant Audrey!  Lewis had good stage presence, and provided us with a good characterisation of ‘Seymour’. Worked well with the other cast members, but, and if I may just offer a tiny piece of constructive advice, not just for Lewis really, but for anyone who goes on stage... we really do need to see your eyes!  The quotation… ‘the eyes are the windows to the soul’ is so true… you get so much information, so much emotion from them… hide them under the peak of a baseball cap or partially hide them under floppy hair, then you start to lose so much!  If you are wearing a hat ‘push it up’ or ‘look up’…  engage the audience, let them in!  There were times when Lewis did this and his character just ‘lit up’… Lewis, there’s so much potential, just allow us the chance to get in… overall, a great job, be proud!   Aidan Kane took on the role of ‘Mr Mushnik’, the owner of the Flower Shop.  Aidan was a perfect fit for this role which he made his own!   Good stage presence, good characterisation a really good performance be ever so proud Aidan!  ‘The Ronnettes’… a trio of ‘street urchins’…’Ronnette’, ‘Crystal’ and ‘Chiffon’ played by Anna Meredith, Riv Mudzingwa and Jessica Hollingsworth respectively, who basically act as a ‘Greek Chorus’ and what a chorus they made! All three created their own individual character, they sang and worked ever so well together.  Great stage presence… some amazing vocals with great harmonies thrown in! Congrats girls, be ever so proud!  The following took on a number of chorus type roles: Olivia Walmsley, Amelia Perry, Amy Clarke and Rebekah Blakeledge (all four played bums, Olivia also played ‘Mrs Luce’, Amelia played a ’customer’, Amy played ‘Bernstein’ and ‘Patrick Martin’ and Rebekah played ‘Skip Snip’) … well done ladies great support for the principals!  We also had Peter McGhee (the College Principal) playing the ‘Voice of God’ and finally we had Katie Shaw playing the voice of Audrey II with Jack Harrison-Farrimond providing the movement of the giant plant … amazing voice over and some amazing vocals… be ever so proud Katie… not the most ‘glamourous role’… but one that you nailed for sure!  

Staging + Tech a single set was used throughout… designed and built by Mark Lane, Tony Lane, Mick Holt and Tom Mawdsley which provided the students with a great platform to perform from.  Sound and Lighting design was simple yet effective under the watchful eye of Mark Lane with assistance from students Chelsea Bradley and Owen McGregor. Millie Burgan (a first year student) was the stage manager and organised even the staff with their props and staging. Millie was assisted by staff members Philippa Samuel, Jacob Jones and Amy Holden. Well done each and all… great job!  

Costumes and Props were of a good standard and enhanced the show… in the safe hands of Christine and Steven Wall.

AUDREY II – the essential ever-growing coniferous plant was hired from Proscenium Ltd., Littleborough.  Looked amazing, worked really well and enhanced the overall production so much.  Congrats to all Jack Harrison-Farrimond in its operation and to Katie Shaw for being that ‘plant’!

Thank you so much for inviting my wife and I and for your warm welcome… it really was great to be back at St John Rigby College to see this talented crop of young people doing what they do best in front of a ‘live audience’.  Well done everyone, be ever so proud!

Stay well… keep safe
‘Stronger Together’

Jim Briscoe
NODA NW
District 6 Rep

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