The Little Shop of Horrors

This was my first time at the Grange Playhouse and it will certainly not be my last, as the intimate atmosphere of Grange Playhouse was ideal for a slick staging of the comic horror of Mr Mushnik's ailing flower shop on Skid Row, whose fortunes are saved by a man (or woman) eating plant.
The 13 strong, versatile and well-bonded cast included Mark Dallison, who gave us a nice Jewish stereotype as Mushnik, and Stephen Ralph, with his matinee idol looks, as the charismatic Orin - and various other small roles. Sam Evans was appropriately comic and menacing as the voice of the plant aided by Scott Bird as the puppeteer.
There were also good performances from the very dynamic 6 backing singers, the Ronettes, who added very credible vocals and supporting roles, and from Gerald Joyce who added great value with an excellent, experienced performance, playing many of the minor roles with good comic timing.
But the show really belonged, as it should, to Roddy Lynch as Seymour and Jennifer Smith as Audrey. Roddy managed to get just the right blend of poignantly funny, self-effacement with some well projected vocals, and Jennifer was delightful as the shrill, troubled but gentle and loving Audrey, whose poignant rendidition of "Somewhere That's Green"was a highlight.
The five-piece band gave fine and sensitive support to all of the action.A warm welcome by the Front of the House staff made it a very pleasant evening for me and a very appreciative full house!

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