Little Shop of Horrors

I first saw this show in this very theatre approximately 26 or 27 years ago and subsequently more recently a few years ago when the production was performed by another nearby company. I was intrigued to see how DMTC dealt with the technical aspects of the show due to the confines of the stage. I was not disappointed in any shape or form and was more than pleased to see how the cast brought off this superb production. There’s a comparatively small cast in this production but the main cast was enhanced by a chorus of extras who took on the smaller roles and doubled up in parts, and all performed with great skill and confidence. It was obvious throughout the show that everybody was enjoying this experience.

The story revolves around the experiences of Seymour Krelborn, an assistant in a flower shop who discovers that a certain, apparently innocuous little plant, found after an eclipse, has unexpected qualities, especially a liking for blood, preferably of the human variety. The more you give it, the more it wants and the result is its growth into a huge specimen, which ultimately bites off the hand that feeds it, as they say, including most of the cast. The part of Seymour is a challenging one, especially for an actor who has not performed with this company or on this stage before, as he is seldom off stage and his performance has to reflect the development of the character from a somewhat shy, diffident person into one with the self-assurance to tackle all that is thrown at him. Linden Disney-Hogg gave an excellent, confident performance in this role, the audience immediately behind him. His characterisation of the weedy Seymour was excellent and he has a fine singing voice too!.

His colleague in the shop is Audrey, a young lady of whom Seymour would like to see more, except that she is already in a rather difficult relationship with dental surgeon, Orin Scrivello. He is abusing Audrey and, discovering this, Seymour tries to summon the courage to deal with him, but ultimately cannot bring himself to do so. Orin has a liking for nitrous oxide and asphyxiates himself in a fatal accident, giving Seymour the solution he sought, with the need to look no further than his plant, now named Audrey II, for the disposal of the body. Maeve Reekie was excellent in this role as the ”dumb blond” and gave a seasoned mature performance as the unfortunate Audrey and the duet with Seymour as they are free to develop their relationship (“Suddenly, Seymour”) was excellent. Colin Williamson’s role as the dentist makes him the villain of the piece and so convincing was he that we were not entirely sorry to see him go. His performance as the sadistic dentist was excellent and his death scene with the gas mask - well!!!

Heather Brown has previous experience as a performer and has taken on more principal roles with the company over the last couple of years and this time gave a super performance as Mushnik, the owner of the flower shop, who ultimately adopts Seymour as his son and makes him a partner in the now flourishing business, but unfortunately becomes a victim of the plant, leaving Seymour to continue the business.

Guiding us through the whole thing is a Greek-chorus-like trio of locals on Skid Row, Chiffon, Ronette and Crystal, played by Eve Daniell, Lauren Grantham, and Katy Weir respectively. Their songs were well delivered with some excellent harmonies; it’s one thing to find three good singers but it’s another to find three whose voices blend so well together. Finally, we must not forget the plant: its words were voiced by the suitably threatening voices of Zander Willacy (Act 1) and Hamish Bremner (Act 2), whilst its increasingly powerful and blood-thirsty movements were the work of puppeteer Amy McFarlane.    

The cast were supported by an excellent 4-piece band under the direction of Nick Riley, whilst the entire production was in the very capable hands of Co-Directors Valerie Wilson and Amy McFarlane. The setting for this show is mainly Skid Row and the Interior of the flower shop and It was great to see how the Directors used the confines of this stage to the best effect for scene changes. I liked the shop door, it was great. The set still had to be planned, especially as regards a home in which the plant can grow. Congratulations go to the team involved as well as all of the backstage personnel involved from props, costumes sound lights etc.

If you’ll excuse the pun, it seems to me that a show set in a flower shop is an appropriate vehicle in which to allow a group of actors to blossom. They certainly did and long may they continue to do so. Just avoid dangerous plants.                  

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