Little Shop of Horrors

Wilburton Village Hall came alive with a performance of "Little Shop of Horrors" by the Wilburton Theatre Group. This is one of my favourite shows having played both Seymour and been the voice of Audrey II in different productions. My expectations for what good looks like are high and overall, I felt the group tackled this complex production with commendable enthusiasm, creativity and did well on what I assume was a modest budget.

The evolution of Audrey II, the infamous carnivorous plant, is always the highlight of this production. Transitioning from a tiny seedling to a monstrous creature, this impressive feat was achieved through the group's homemade puppets. Choosing to craft their own puppets rather than hire them—a decision likely driven by budget constraints—was commendable and showcased remarkable craftsmanship. While the final Audrey II puppet could have benefited from a more organic appearance, as its construction materials were somewhat evident, Ben Remily's tremendous efforts in bringing Audrey II to life deserve special recognition.

The ensemble, though small with only four members, harmonized beautifully and brought additional characters to life throughout the show. However, the costumes for the ensemble lacked variety and failed to convey the gritty streets of Skid Row effectively. Initially I mistook the performer dressed in dark grey jeans and a grey jumper for a stagehand.

The Street Urchins (Ronnette – Charlotte Dockerty, Crystal – Jo Branson, Chiffon,-  Amy Wreathall), known in this show for their close harmonies, delivered strong vocal performances and added depth to all the musical numbers. Their choreo was simple and well executed. I also really like the glitzy green costumes in Act Two.

Orin Scrivello DDS, played by Ben Remily, gave us a perfect blend of mania, eccentricity and a predatory nature providing the always entertaining death scene. Ben’s return later in Act Two with quick costume changes for various cameos was humorous, though the last change led to breathlessness and hindered the singing. Nevertheless, the portrayal was delightfully funny and a directorial choice I’ve not seen before. Nice to see something a bit different!

The portrayal of Mr. Mushnik by Tim Meikle was solid, with the actor successfully developing a believable relationship with Seymour, particularly during their duet "Mushnik and Son."

Audrey, played by Charlie-May Wallis, characterised as a ditzy blonde, had a very strong singing voice and delivered a standout rendition of "Somewhere That's Green." While her character's Brooklyn accent occasionally shifted to a more generic American tone, the performance was heartfelt and engaging.

Seymour, the downtrodden protagonist  portrayed by Zack-Rhys Wymer, allowed the audience to easily empathise with his journey from misfortune to unexpected fame. Zack-Rhys’ performance anchored the show, ensuring that Seymour's transformation was both believable and touching.

The dual performance of Audrey II truly stood out in this production. Mark Wright delivered the vocals with impeccable intonation, pitch, and depth, seamlessly capturing the essence of the character. Complementing Wright's vocal prowess, James Crussell animated the puppet with precise movements, syncing perfectly with the voice. However, the scene where Audrey II coaxes Audrey back to the flower shop was somewhat perplexing as the puppet remained stationary throughout. It remains ambiguous whether this was a directorial choice or a technical mishap, yet it did not detract significantly from the overall impact. The audience, engrossed in the unfolding drama, likely overlooked this minor inconsistency.

Wilburton Theatre Group's "Little Shop of Horrors" was a delightful production, showcasing the group's passion and talent. Well done to Mia Turner (director) and to Hannah Reynolds (musical director) both making their debut in these roles. I look forward to great things from this pair. This production was entertaining and a testament to the creative spirit of Wilburton Theatre Group.

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