Little Shop of Horrors

An extremely talented cast of 11 performers delivered an excellent production of this ‘Horror, Comedy, Rock Musical’. Staged in a very small intimate setting, the audience almost became involved in what was happening and were totally engaged throughout.

The well designed set cleverly depicted Downtown Skid Row with a small bench against a wall on one side and the run down florist shop on the other. Clever use was made of a curtain which was pulled across to conceal the plants when the focus was elsewhere.

Mhair Goodwin (Crystal), Beth Cunningham(Ronnette) and Revathi Eswaran (Chiffon) set the scene with the powerful ‘Prologue: Little Shop of Horrors’ and this ‘Greek Chorus’ with superb voices and boundless energy made an impact on every appearance. The strength of the company singing was immediately established in ‘Downtown (Skid Row)’ and thereafter each ensemble piece was convincing both vocally and in delivering the simple but most effective choreography.

Joe Purcell was perfectly cast as the shy, timid Seymour a flower shop assistant who has a crush on Audrey who also works in the shop. This was a flawless performance which gained the sympathy of the audience as we accompanied the somewhat naive, loveable Seymour through his various dilemmas raising his plant which grows into a carniverous monster thriving on human blood. When he eventually finds true love with Audrey his heartache and pain in knowing that he must sacrifice Audrey to the man eating plant was conveyed with utmost sincerity.

Tara McCullough brought real meaning to the part of Audrey. Despite being controlled and abused by her dentist boyfiend Orin, she still managed to display her warm hearted, vivacious side  and eventually her true feelings for Seymour. Both of these characters had fantastic singing voices with their duet ‘Suddenly Seymour’ so emotive. Audrey’s ‘Somewhere That’s Green’ was also sung with real feeling and sensitivity as she dreams of what she wants in life.

The sadistic dentist Orin was brilliantly played by Harrison Owens who brought out the fun, humour and nastiness in this character. ‘Dentist!’ was awesome as was his display of mad antics in his death scene with Seymour. I also have to admire his quick changes in his various cameo roles in Act 2 which were so funny.

Mr Mushnik, the owner of the flower shop was in the most capable hands of Dan Cook who gave an energetic performance varying from grumpy to almost sinister as he exploits Seymour when he realises the plant Audrey 2 brings success to the shop in the number ‘Mushnik and Son.’

Robin Ramsay made an expert job of working the puppet Audrey 2 while Fionn Cameron fantastically voiced Audrey 2 with ‘Feed Me Git It)’ and ‘Suppertime’. Supporting cameo roles were played with real style with Monica Fowler portraying a hilarious Ms Martin and Olivia Hall a patient interviewer and both giving strong vocal support to the ensemble.

This was a production with extremely well defined characters. Singing throughout was first class by all soloists and with excellent harmonies coming through clearly in the ensemble work all well supported by the small band. Everyone looked good in costumes which were appropriate for the period.

This was a hugely successful, slick production which I enjoyed immensely. Congratulations to everyone involved in making this such a pleasue to attend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

© NODA CIO.  All rights reserved.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.