Little Shop of Horrors delivers big-stage magic
‘Wow’. That was the initial reaction from audience members watching Guide Bridge Theatre’s Little Shop of Horrors which opened last night (Friday). And it was only the interval.
A surprisingly small cast takes on one of the world’s biggest and most popular musicals in this production, yet still delivers all the spectacle, energy and big-show style we have come to expect every step of the way.
This is a show that has been many months in the potting shed, lovingly tendered, cherished and grown by dedicated director Martin Wadsworth whose vision is shared by choreographer Janet Fagan and musical director Collette Stevenson.
Brought to life and delivered with high energy and flare by a talented cast to music performed by a live band behind the scenes, makes this production a truly memorable theatrical experience for everyone.
With cast members doubling up for roles and even swapping characters for some performances, all involved deserved praise for their sheer effort before the curtain had even opened.
Cult classic
Expectations are always going to be big when it comes to any production of Little Shop of Horrors, the dark, comedic horror romance still captivating audiences today as much as it did decades ago.
The original 1960 low-budget black comedy film is a cult classic, with the 1980s stage version becoming one of the longest-running Off-Broadway musicals of its time.
Its score combines 1960s-inspired rock ’n’ roll, doo-wop, Motown and rhythm-and-blues, with well-known songs including ‘Suddenly, Seymour,’ ‘Skid Row (Downtown)’ and ‘Feed Me (Git It)’.
In 1986, the musical was adapted into a major Hollywood film directed by Frank Oz and starring Rick Moranis as Seymour, Ellen Greene as Audrey, and Steve Martin as the famously sadistic dentist Orin Scrivello, ultimately becoming a cult favourite in its own right.
There are big shoes to fill then, but Guide Bridge create their own Little Shop of Horrors here to ‘wow’ audiences and some.
Daniel Cope’s talents seemingly know no bounds and he will be a familiar face to many across the Tameside theatre scene. Morphing into the character of Seymour Krelborn with ease, he perfectly embodies the shy and awkward florist’s assistant, delivering an effortless performance and showcasing a simply divine voice. He captures the conflicting mood and emotion of every moment as this dark and disturbing tale takes root and grows, quite literally, out of control. Seymour’s backstory and blossoming love for Audrey are tenderly interwoven throughout, allowing Daniel’s heartfelt performance to blossom from start to finish.
CALL BACK IN THE MORNING: Audrey (Rosie Elizabeth Jowles) holds the line... as Audrey II's tentacles close in behind...
Rosie Elizabeth Jowles is another performer who brings a wealth of experience to the stage in the role of Audrey, and it is impossible not to be captivated as she beautifully conveys her character’s vulnerability and resilience as her heartbreaking story unfolds. Her rendition of Somewhere That’s Green had the audience hanging on her every note, delivered with warmth, sincerity and heartfelt emotion.
Simon Turner is another gifted musician, singer and performer, and his rhythm-and-blues numbers come naturally as he creates an engaging Mr Mushnik, the down-on-his-luck florist shop owner who suddenly finds fame and fortune with the emergence of the pot-bound Audrey II, the mysterious plant nurtured by Seymour and introduced to the shop.
Marshall Jane meanwhile is totally mesmerising as the evil and sadistic dentist Orin Scrivello, his dentist’s chair such an utterly terrifying prospect it would surely give even Laurence Olivier’s Dr Christian Szell the shivers in Marathon Man. He has big boots to fill for those who remember Steve Martin in the film role, but makes the character his own with an outstanding, memorable and high-energy performance.
SAY AAARRRGGGHHH: Dentist Orin Scrivello (Marshall Jane) welcomes Seymour to his surgery!
Smashing out some of the show’s most memorable harmonies are the streetwise trio Crystal (Amy Bent), Chiffon (Isobel Park) and Rosette (Rose Fagan), who throw themselves wholeheartedly into every number. Carefully choreographed and rarely separated they use every available stage space to keep the action and storyline moving along with enthusiasm and pace.
Puppeteer and Mrs Luce is the talented Sienna Rathbone, Luka Mountfort doubling to provide a variety of believable Skid Row characters with Marc Stevenson making for a convincing Wino as well as doubling as puppeteer.
Rooted at the heart of the show of course is Audrey II, expertly voiced by Myles Ryan. The strange and unusual plant of mysterious origin and budding star of the show grows from a small specimen into a giant, creeping, menacing entity, ultimately taking centre stage as the horror of the tale unfolds and there are some clever tricks as the plant’s own character - and size - develop.
All of the performances are brought to life within an impressive yet functional set, recreating the rundown ‘60s New York neighbourhood of Skid Row, and which makes the most of the relatively small theatre space available. The lighting, sound and special effects all add to the atmosphere and are accompanied outstandingly by the behind-the-scenes live band. The cast deserve acknowledgement too for maintaining those American accents and notes throughout.
This Little Shop of Horrors then deserves huge praise for its vision and execution and all involved can be congratulated on creating a special and highly entertaining piece of musical theatre.
Few tickets are left for the show but if you can get one then do, you won’t be disappointed.
Little Shop of Horrors runs at Guide Bridge Theatre until Saturday, August 1. For tickets visit https://www.ticketsource.com/gbt/little-shop-of-horrors/e-jqykkz
Review by Nigel Skinner
FLOWER POWER: Street urchins Chiffon (Isobel Park), Rosette (Rose Fagan) and Crystal (Amy Bent) outside Mr Mushnik's (Simon Turner's) floristry shop on 'Skid Row'.
