Theatre Review: Little Shop Of Horrors (UK Tour)

Little Shop Of Horrors theatre review: The B movie cult classic returns to the stage.

Little Shop Of Horrors theatre review by Katey Thompson at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking.

Little Shop Of Horrors is based on a book by Howard Ashman and was originally released as a film in the 1960s (and then again in 1986). It was a B-movie classic that still has a cult following today and blends sci-fi with horror and comedy.

Sam Lupton is simply great as Seymour the bland, over-looked shop worker at Mushniks Florist, run by the superb Paul Kissaun.  The florist is based in Skid Row in New York and is struggling to survive.   Seymour has a passion for plants and hankers after Audrey (Stephanie Clift) who works with him. Audrey however, dreams of a different life to that she has at the florists and with her boyfriend Orin, brilliantly played by Rhydian Roberts. Orin is a dark character whose fate is determined by Seymour under the influence of Audrey II. Audrey II is quirky and keeps the show lighthearted she is expertly voiced by Neil Nicholas, and puppeteered by Josh Wilmot. Crystal (Sasha Latoya), Chiffon (Vanessa Fisher) and Ronnette (Cassie Clare) are all brilliant in the chorus and keep the tale rolling on with their adroit assessments of the people around them.

The set design has a cartoon-esque feel to it which makes it seem more fantasy than real. The music is good and is a blend of Motown and 50s rock, and it is great to see the musicians performing from their shop widow. The first half of the production is slow moving and takes a while to warm up, but after the interval the pace picks up as the show embraces its B-movie heritage with the alien creature – in this case the carnivorous plant (Audrey II) being revealed in its full gory glory.  The music becomes more foot-tapping and lively as the tale unfolds, not that you will remember the tunes once you leave the theatre.

The show covers a wide range of subjects – love, murder and horror with a touch of comedy thrown in.  It feels in places like a pantomime for grown-ups but did entertain the audience.

If you like cult B-movies combined with quirky musical theatre then this will be a show to try for an evening’s entertainment.

Little Shop Of Horrors theatre review by Katey Thompson, September 2016.

Little Shop of Horrors is running at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking until 10th September 2016.