Little Shop of Horrors

Little Shop of Horrors
Performed by: WODS Musical Theatre Company
Book and Lyrics by: Howard Ashman
Music by: Alan Menken
Performed at: Princess Theatre Burnham On Sea
Directors: Laura Curtis and Gemma Pearsall
Musical Director: Natasha Newsam-Mabey
Choreographer: Harri S Moore
Date: 21/11/2025
Noda Rep: Mike Purnell

It was so nice to be invited back to Burnham to see WODS latest production.
Thank you Laura for the lovely warm greeting and drinks. This certainly set
the tone for the evening. Meeting up with other members of WODS along
with those from other societies in the foyer before the show, showed how
much support you had, and there was certainly an excitement for this show. I
too was excited to see “Little Shop of Horrors” not having seen it for quite a
few years and I must say I was not disappointed.
This is a show that thrives on its charm, wit and certainly a touch of the
macabre, and from the very first moment the atmosphere promised exactly
that. The blend of quirky humour and toe tapping musical numbers and a
storyline that balances comedy with thought provoking lessons. The
audience were with you right from the off and stayed along for the ride right
to the end. Can’t argue with that.
The acting throughout was strong with each character bringing distinct
personality and energy to their roles. Seymour’s awkward charm and
Audrey’s heartfelt vulnerability were particularly well played, creating a
dynamic that was both endearing and believable.
The singing was a real highlight of the evening. Vocals were consistently
impressive, with powerful ensemble numbers that filled the space and solo
performances that carried genuine emotion. “Suddenly Seymour” stood out
as a soaring moment, blending tenderness with vocal strength, while the
rousing company numbers showcased the casts cohesion and musicality.
I could certainly see and hear the hard work that had been put into this.
Visually the stage was at times crowded, which occasionally made the action
feel a little busy, however it did add to the sense of chaos that the storyline
thrives on, and the decision to extend the performances into the auditorium
was inspired, it broke down the barrier between performers and audience,
pulling us directly into the world of Skid Row and making the experience
more immersive.

My slight negatives of the night were there were quite a lot of distractions
going on. Focus was being pulled from the main action. “Suddenly Seymour”
was a main one, we had the gorgeous vocals going on with our two main
characters acting their hearts out and suddenly the ladies of the night
emerged down front right with quite bold movements and fairly full light
taking our focus. This did happen a few times throughout the evening so just
something for the directors to be aware of.
I also thought the shop might have benefitted from being dressed with more
flowers and plants to highlight the shift in circumstances between the two
acts. A curtain within the shop itself could also have provided a neater, tidier
way of showing it closed—just a small idea that might enhance the setting.
Could the characters have been just a bit more larger than life to capture this
B Movie rating? Most likely. When there was a tendency to play over the top,
for example Mushnik and Seymour in the shop act 2 before Mushnik’s
untimely end it worked a treat. Bit more of that would have been good, but
overall this production captured the quirky humour and dark edge of the
musical beautifully. With strong acting, outstanding singing and inventive
staging choices, it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening that reminded us why
“Little Shop of Horrors” remains such a beloved cult classic.
Costumes
The costumes in this production struck a balance between resourcefulness
and flair. I imagine they were largely sourced by the cast which gave them a
personal handmade quality. This approach often works well for Little Shop of
Horrors - a show that thrives on a slightly put together streetwise aesthetic.
I was a bit confused when the urchins entered in striking red evening dresses
whilst they were elegant the choice unintentionally I’m sure, clashed with the
staging, the dresses matched the red curtain tabs which therefore meant the
performers visually blended into the background diminishing their impact on
what should be a bold introduction. Once they shifted into their urchin
costumes, the effect was much stronger. These outfits felt cohesive and
character driven and aligned with the gritty urban tone of the show. They
helped the trio embody their role as a kind of Greek chorus from the streets.

Musical Director (Natasha Newsam-Maybe)
The musical direction in this production was of a very high standard. The
harmonies were rich and beautifully blended, bringing real depth to the
ensemble numbers. Every musical cue was perfectly timed, supporting the
action on stage without ever overpowering it. The balance of sound was
spot-on, allowing both the singers and the tracks to shine while maintaining
clarity throughout.

It was clear that the cast had been guided with precision and care, resulting

in confident performances and a vibrant musical atmosphere. I felt the
musical direction elevated the entire production and ensuring that the score
was delivered with energy, accuracy, and flair. A great achievement.
Seymour (Ian)
This portrayal of Seymour was both engaging and impressive. Vocally, the
performance was excellent; clear, expressive singing that carried the
emotional weight of each song while maintaining strong control and tone. The
musical demands of the role were met with confidence, and the delivery felt
natural rather than forced.
Characterisation was a real strength. Seymour‘s awkward charm and gradual
transformation were captured with focus and consistency throughout the
show. You balanced vulnerability with moments of comic timing, ensuring the
audience remained invested in your journey. Your interaction with other
characters added depth, making him feel authentic rather than caricatured.
This was a stand out performance for me the combination of strong vocal
ability and committed character work made Seymour both sympathetic and
memorable. Welcome back to the stage after your break. Good work.
Audrey (Daisy)
This was a heartfelt and engaging performance capturing the characters
vulnerability and charm with sincerity. You demonstrated a strong singing
voice, delivering the musical numbers with clarity and emotional resonance.
Your vocal control allowed the songs to shine, and you brought warmth to the
role that drew the audience in.
Your characterisation was consistent throughout, with a clear focus on
Audrey‘s gentle nature and her conflicted journey. While the accent could
have been emphasised a little more to heighten the authenticity, it did not
detract from the overall performance. Instead your commitment to the role
ensured that Audrey remained believable and sympathetic.
Crystal/Chiffon/Ronnette
This Trios’s presence was not only musical but theatrical, their moments
popping up at the shop window were delightful highlights, injecting humour
and surprise into the storytelling. Those brief appearances left the audience
wanting more, as they added a playful dynamic that perfectly complimented
the main action. Overall you worked as a cohesive team balancing strong
individual voices with excellent ensemble work. Your contribution gave the
Show an extra layer of polish and vitality making you a memorable part of the
production.

Mr. Mushnik (Will)
How great to see you pop up in a musical. I’m so used to seeing you as an
actor it was a real delight to see you are a man of many talents. You certainly
captured the essence of this role balancing the gruff exterior with moments of
humour that kept the audience entertained. Your comic timing was sharp and
several scenes were lifted by your ability to inject wit and personality into the
character. You certainly delivered vocally, singing with strength and clarity
ensuring your musical numbers were both engaging and well executed. The
combination of good singing voice and expressive acting made your
performance memorable.
Orion (Matt)
How nice to see a new young performer taking on this role. You certainly
brought energy and enthusiasm to the stage. Your singing voice was strong
and well suited to the character delivering the musical numbers with
confidence. You also showed flashes of excellent comic timing which added
humour and liveliness to your scenes.
As you garner experience through the years to come, I see some great parts
coming your way and look forward to seeing them.
Audrey 2 Voice (Neil) Puppeteer (Helen)
The voice behind Audrey two was nothing short of a dream fit for the role.
With rich tone and commanding presence every line and lyric carried the
perfect mix of menace and charisma that makes the plant so iconic. What
made this performance truly stand out was the flawless synchronicity with the
puppeteer the coordination between voice and movement was seamless
giving Audrey 2 a vivid personality that felt alive and dynamic on stage. This
partnership elevated the character from a prop to a central force in the
production, what a team.
Ensemble
You guys brought incredible energy to the stage ensuring that every scene
felt vibrant and alive. Each performer carved out their own individual
character, adding layers of personality and detail that enriched the storytelling
rather than blending into the background. You all contributed meaningfully to
the atmosphere creating a dynamic and engaging backdrop for the central
action. This was evident in both movement and musicality with a unified
spirit.

Choreography (Harri S Moore)
The choreography for this production struck an excellent balance between
simplicity and creativity. With such a large company the decision to keep the
movement clear and accessible was wise, ensuring that every performer
could contribute confidently and cohesively, but at the same time the routines
were never dull, You seemed to find inventive ways to keep the staging
visually engaging adding variations and some interesting pictures for the
ensemble numbers. It was a great idea to bring some cast members out into
the audience which gave us different levels and interactions.
Directors (Laura Curtis and Gemma Pearsall)
Well done, you shaped this production with clear vision and strong
leadership. You kept the pace lively ensuring the comedy landed well whilst
also giving space for the more emotional moments to resonate. Managing a
large company is no small task, but you balanced it beautifully allowing
individual performers to shine while maintaining a sense of cohesion across
the whole cast. I have already mentioned at times there were several
distractions pulling the focus from the main scenes. I would just suggest you
give this more thought in future productions of which I’m sure there will be
plenty.
Overall, I felt your direction was confident, creative and engaging, resulting in
a polished, entertaining and full of life production.
A super night out!
Thank you WODS for the invite, you’ve got quite a year to come. I for one will
look forward to it very much.
Best wishes
Mike

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.