The Little Shop of Horrors

Review by Martine Silkstone

It was with excitement and anticipation that I visited The Quay Theatre in Sudbury last night for my first experience reviewing a Sudbury Musicals Society production. Their latest offering is the The Little Shop of Horrors - another first for me as for some reason I have never seen the film or stage show.

And, quite frankly, I have been missing a treat on both counts.

For a start, the musical itself is great fun. It has comedy, emotion and wonderful music by Alan Menkin…and a blood-thirsty plant. What more could you want?

For those who, like me, who don’t know the story…

Seymour is a shy, hapless florist working in Mushnik’s Flower Shop on Skid Row. After a total eclipse of the sun, he discovers a mysterious plant growing among the stock and names it Audrey II, after a co-worker with whom he is secretly in love. Placing it in the store window, the exotic plant attracts more business and the previously failing store begins to thrive. All is going well until Seymour finds out that Audrey II is both sentient and hungry for blood. Yikes!

I must confess that it is a narrative that had never really appealed, but I was so wrong. It is full of fun and interesting characters, and the songs are both clever and immediately catchy. It’s like Grease and Day of the Triffids had a baby - if that isn’t too dated a reference.

And more importantly, source material aside, watching this version I was truly blown away by the level of talent on stage. This is a local, amateur group, but they are providing a professional level of performance and design that really took me by surprise.

For a start, the various puppets of Audrey II are truly magnificent!

Then you have the cast, all of whom absolutely nail the New York accent - no small feat - and all of whom have been perfectly chosen for their role.

Scarlett Simmons, Heather Rudolph and Katy Hammond play the three street urchins, providing colour and narration throughout, not to mention a healthy serving of shoop-de-wop. Meanwhile, Jenni Gorgun is suitably cranky and mean as shop owner, Ms Mushnik, and Julian Prime provides the deep, wicked voice for Audrey II, turning it into one, funky plant.

But make no mistake, it is the three leads that really take things to the next level.

Connor Foster as Seymour.

Connor Foster is wonderfully timid and lovesick as Seymour - a man trying to be good and kind while raising a flesh-eating monster.

Then you have the fabulous Matthew Gallis as mean dentist and Seymour’s love rival, Orin Scrivello. He’s such a natural on stage, complete with subtle physicality and a twinkle in his eye. Later in the show, he even transforms into a variety of additional characters in quick succession - from gruff TV producer to magazine lady - with comedy and with ease. Bravo.

However, stand out for me is Charlotte Reed as Audrey. Such a finely balanced performance of this complex woman, who is strangely innocent (handcuffs aside) and dreams of leaving her abusive boyfriend to live a simple life. With perfect comic timing, soft vulnerability and stunning voice, Reed adds a huge spoonful of heart to this role. Her rendition of ‘Somewhere That’s Green’ is so deeply touching - with the dream sequence playing on a screen to the rear of the stage - at that moment I could have easily been in the West End.

Charlotte Reed as Audrey, with Connor Foster as Seymour.

Have I gushed enough?

If not, then let me add that they are ably supported by the ensemble cast, superb costumes and a teriffic live band, here playing under musical director, David Richardson.

Such a treat.

(Yes, the sound levels need adjusting during the songs - I occasionally struggled to hear Seymour in particular - and the shop door definitely needs attention, but these are minor things and it was opening night so you expect a few tweaks to be made.)

Congratulations to director, Emma Taggart, and the whole team on a brilliant production of this fine musical.

I can’t wait to see what you do next…

Little Shop of Horrors is at The Quay Theatre in Sudbury until June 14.

FOR SHOW DETAILS AND BOOKING LINK, CLICK HERE