UK Theatre Network

Chocolate Factory Productions in conjunction with the Churchill Theatre Bromley present

Little Shop of Horrors

Based on the film by Roger Corman Screenplay by Charles Griffiths

Book and Lyrics by Howard Ashman Music by Alan Menken.

Direction Matthew White

Reviewed by Sue Marks at Milton Keynes Theatre on Monday 11^th May 2009.

This is a truly spectacular production that is a must see. The set is superb consisting of the house and store fronts which construct the corner of skid row where Mushnik’s flower shop can be found. The fascia of Mushnik’s opens along with the revolving stage behind it to give the inside of the flower shop.  In a similar way the house on the opposite side of the corner opens to provide the interior of the dentist’s surgery. The main prop is the plant Audrey II ranging in size from an initial seedling about 30 centimetres tall through a variety of sizes to the full grown plant over 2 metres tall and filling the stage.

 Sylvester McCoy  is delightful as the little Jewish flower shop owner but he is overshadowed by Damian Humbley who gives a superb performance as Seymour maintaining acting, accent and  mannerisms whilst hitting notes that would be difficult if that was all one had to think about. To see one part played this well is a treat but it just keeps getting better as Alex Ferns gives real menace to the role of the dentist Orin Scrivello (and then tops this later by playing a plethora of minor characters including showing some of the shapeliest legs on the stage).

Auditory continuity is supplied by the three girls Crystal, Chiffon and Ronette played by Cathryn Davis, Lara Martin and Donna Hines respectively, who may not have had major parts but certainly made a major contribution to the singing and dancing in this play. The female lead of Audrey is taken by Clare Buckfield who does a good job with this difficult part and I particularly enjoyed her singing when she had the chance to belt it out. Mention should be made of Mike McShane who although not present in person is the TV presenter as featured on the TV. These actors are supported by Morgan Deare, and Christopher Ragland.

However, the real star of the show is Audrey II animated by one of three puppeteers, Andy Heath, Brian Herring or Iestyn Evans with the superb voice of Clive Rowe.

The effects include the lighting in the various windows of skid row, spotlights and stage lighting (I was particularly impressed by the use of darkness), smoke and flashes and of course Audrey II.

This show is all about the music and the band were; Toby Higgins on piano, Jodie Oliver on keyboards, Duncan Floyd on guitar, Gordon Davidson on Bass and Matt French on drums.

Costumes were appropriate to the 1960s and were suitably supportive to the roles. I particularly liked Audrey’s line when she’s wearing a skirt slashed to the waist about other outfits she’s worn which are cheap and tawdry unlike this one.

Like all really good plays this leaves you wanting more and it’s hard not to leave humming “Suddenly Seymour” or muttering in an improbably low baritone “Feed Me”.

Clearly everyone involved with this production had given it their all as it was a truly outstanding performance.

Little Shop of Horrors plays Milton Keynes Theatre until Saturday 16^th May 2009. Milton Keynes Theatre Box Office 0870 060 6652 (bkg fee). The tour then continues  playing Woking New Victoria Theatre from 18^th May to 23^rd May 2009.

www.miltonkeynestheatre.com www.littleshopthemusical.co.uk

Reviewed by Sue Marks at Milton Keynes Theatre on Monday 11^th May 2009 on behalf of Catherine Brian.