Little Shop of Horrors

I suppose I would describe this musical as a comedy, horror rock musical set in the 60s with a moral of ‘don’t feed the plants’ as it may become a monster! First seen in London’s West End in the early 80s, the script is funny, sad at times, with interesting main characters, nice cameos, a good mix of rock and R & B music from the live band plus the Jewish musical influence from the character of shop owner Mr Mushnik. From principals’ impressive solos and duets together with excellent harmonies from the lively five Ronettes the ‘doo wop’ girls, and taking central stage Audrey II, an enormous blood and flesh-eating plant with the unseen strong voice of Triston Hyde. Also unseen, working as puppeteers were Melody French and Bethany Hill beautifully cuing feeding time and demands from Audrey II.

Dee Harvey cleverly designed the staging and congratulations to the construction crew. The open arched set with brick back wall depicted the run-down florist shop with metal gantry supporting the four musicians: Alex as MD on keyboard, Jason M Smith on drums, Jim Goddin bass and Andy Mersh guitar, giving us brilliant accompaniment if sometimes a bit loud for my ears. The shop floor was square tiled with a small counter with telephone angled one side and Mr. Mushnik’s office desk with telephone plus adding up machine set the other. Either side down stage was the sidewalk were the girls congregated together with a couple of winos amongst the bins, red water hydrant, and a few crates. Small graffitied colourful flats were painted either side. Props were first class with plenty of flower buckets being added as business increased. Clever use of long wired phones for the manic ‘Call Again’ scene effective and piece de resistance was on course two little Audreys developing into huge Audrey II taking central stage set on a plinth. Using a gauze curtain, a large folding screen and impressive dental chair the surgery was one I would prefer not to be visiting. The gas mask brilliant. The creative team certainly did a grand job. Nice costume touches – tight, belted, sexy high heels for mincing, blond hair for Audrey perfect, denim, slinky sparkles and high hair styles for the girls, moustached Mr. Mushnik perfect with his dark overcoat and Homberg, abusive biker dentist in his leathers and Seymour just simply ordinary in his cardie, and smart media folk.  

Notable highlight numbers for me were the strong opening of well known ‘Skid Row’, Danielle Taylor’s emotional ‘Somewhere That’s Green’ a lovely pleading from Chris Hohenkerk a lovable Seymour with ‘Grow for Me’ and the great comedy song with James Jeffreys' abusive, scarry eyed,  dentist Orin intimidating high on gas number not forgetting Mushnik – Paul Webb and Chris with their duet ‘Mushnik & Son’.

The production was directed by Jim Maxim who I had the pleasure of meeting and I understand this was his debut. With his imaginative vision together with Naomi’s 60s choreography, with the casts well delivered performance this certainly was a slick presentation utilising every inch of the available stage space once Audrey II was fully grown. Sadly, our four main characters were devoured by Audrey II - the show concluding with the cast warning the audience – do not feed the plants!!

An enjoyable evening’s entertainment for me – a title first – so my thanks to principal characters, the harmonising Ronettes, cameos and ensemble and of course the unseen technical team for all the hard work involved.

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