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'.
'Thoroughly entertained'
Mike Lawlor watched one of the performances where the main characters of Seymour and Audrey were played by different members of the cast, namely Luca Mountford and Rose Fagan. This is Mike's review...
Guide Bridge Theatre – Little Shop of Horrors
Director: Martin Wadsworth – Martin’s direction is loose and allows the actors to inhabit the space to full effect. The set design is simple but highly effective giving us both interior and exterior space. The show moves at a good pace, and the characters are well drawn out.
Choreographer: Janet Fagan – The choreography is robust and tight. The ensemble move well in the tight space allowed by the set. There are plenty of 1950’s nods in the dancing style and Janet’s choreography is easy to watch.
I was invited to watch Guide Bridge Theatre's production of Menken and Ashman’s Little Shop of Horrors, on one of the dress rehearsals and was thoroughly entertained.
On entering the auditorium, you are treated to a gauze showing the Little Shop Image. At the start of the show the lighting cross fades to the set behind and immediately my eye was drawn to the excellent set design and lighting, perfectly recreating the 1950s New York setting with a very modest budget. This was further reinforced by the acceptable accents adopted by the cast members, although trying to ‘force’ a New York accent sometimes hindered the diction and delivery of some dialogue was garbled, although this should not detract from some excellent performances and the accent was maintained throughout (and I’m sure would settle over time).
On that note, all the main roles were flawless. This is definitely not a one-person show, Little Shop’s varied and dynamic cast requires mutual effort on all parts to succeed, and I am pleased to be able to say my expectations were far exceeded.
DOUBLING UP: Luca Mountford as Seymour and Rose Fagan as Audrey.
Luca Mountford's performance as Seymour was well played and rounded, equal parts nerdy and lovable, while Rose Fagan played off him perfectly as Audrey delivering some great up-front vocals.
Myles Ryan stole the show (for me) with a truly commendable job of voicing our floral antagonist, and Simon Turner was a likeable Mr Mushnik. The three Ronette’s, Rosie, Isobel & Amy, delivered spectacular harmonies and served to narrate the show with style and confidence. A special nod to Marshall Jane in the role of sadist Orin Scrivello DDS who reminded me of my dentist from the late 70’s. The ensemble cast of this production worked extremely well together and when coupled with a stunning band, under the direction of Collette Stephenson, made this a show that is definitely worth the ticket.
Little Shop of Horrors is the musical from Guide Bridge Theatre and will surely be the benchmark of other shows to come.
(Please note, the cast that I comment on are only playing certain performances).
Reviewed on Monday 20th July - Dress Rehearsal.
review by Michael Lawlor
