Little Shop of Horrors

In Your Face Theatre Seaham have done it again with a fantastic production of Little Shop of Horrors at Seaham Town Hall.  Always a very difficult venue to stage anything in, it’s awkward space, low ceiling height and having to construct a playing and audience area from scratch each and every time, but IYFTS are known for thinking outside the box and they did just that again bringing Audrey II then flesh-eating plant to Seaham.

Little Shop of Horrors is somewhat of a cult classic, a horror rock comedy musical with music by Alan Menken and lyrics/book by Howard Ashman.  The story follows a hapless florist shop worker Seymour who raises a mysterious plant to epic proportions which feeds on human flesh and blood.  Musical Director turned Director Jenni Watson did a great job at the helm of her very first musical assisted by  Assistant Director and Choreographer Jade-Leigh Hewitt and Choreographer Stephanie Peacock.  Staging was created by way of two fixed sets, Mushnik’s Florist Shop on stage right and Skid Row on stage left on a raised platform giving extra dimension.

All of the 16 strong cast did a sterling job in keeping the audiences entertained throughout.  Madoc Atkinson, Romy Wilkinson, Harris Miller, Norma Ord, Hollie Wilson, Amelia Barton and Paul Pearson all added depth, vocal support and played their respective supporting roles very well.  I’m still not over the shock of Norma walking in heels!  Well done all of you, there was some great support performances, especially from the bums on Skid Row.

The incredible vocal and visual performances of Chiffon, Ronette and Crystal were provided by Hannah Davison, Billie Kay and Sarah Ketchin respectively, all looking, smiling and sounding wonderful.  A special mention has to be given to Billie as it was the very first time she has performed in a musical and I’m personally so proud in both her performance and how much her confidence has grown.  All three ladies were gorgeous to watch and listen to, well done to you all.

Unusually, Jenni decided to cast Orin Scrivello DDS in a gender switch with Jade-Leigh Hewitt taking the role of the demented dentist.  Jade is a superb performer but I’m not quite sure the gender switch really had the impact it could have had.  Ian Patterson came in with only 5 rehearsals to take the part of Mr Mushnik and it’s probably the strongest performance I’ve seen from Ian yet.  Clear effective punchy delivery, commanding the stage and a hilarious rendition of “Mushnik & Son” with Jake Marshall who took the part of Seymour.  It’s not necessarily an easy role to play, to portray Seymour’s loneliness, awkward manner, sensitivity and desperation but Jake did an incredible job, and it was lovely to see him shining on stage again.

Stephanie Peacock taking on the role of Audrey did not leave any crumbs!  Steph is consistently a strong performer who can always be relied on to give her all, but in Audrey she was able to show a real controlled vulnerability in her vocal performance especially.  Steph can always be relied upon for a real power belt but with “Somewhere that’s Green” and “Suddenly Seymour” we heard a real controlled vulnerability which was simply superb.  One of the best things I’ve seen from Steph.  Loved it!

Audrey II was a marvel.  The three plants in sizes small, medium and huge (available for sale too!) were a marvel on stage operated by puppeteer Nathan Johnson whose back must be breaking by the end of the run!  The huge plant was able to swallow performers whole with ease and was operated marvellously in tune with the vocal being provided by Alexandra Gilmartin in a sultry, sexy Motown type sound to her vocal and distinctive laugh!  Absolutely brilliant you too, and I did enjoy the appearance of Alex at the end of the show looking superb as always.

As always, effective professional lighting set by Paul Oliver of POSS in a difficult venue and sound effectively provided by Duncan Baxter of East Durham Audio, also mentoring one of the youth members of IYFTS Lydia who’s shown an interest in the technical side of theatre which is so lovely to see.

Loved it guys, well done!

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