Review-Little Shop of Horrors
April 14, 2009
Date Reviewed: 13th April, 2009
Venue: Sunderland Empire
The Menier Chocolate Factory production of Little Shop of Horrors has moved out of the intimate surroundings it had when the revival was first launched way back in 2006. Via way of the West End, the show is now on tour, which includes such large venues as the Sunderland Empire, but I am pleased to say it still works.
Having seen the original London production, then Richard O’Brien (creator of the Rocky Horror Show) appear in the show in Newcastle, playing flower shop owner Mr Mushik, I was looking forward to this revival. In fact I have always felt there are similarities between Rocky Horror and Little Shop, as both are similar in there send up of the 1950s style B Movie.
In Little Shop of Horrors we find the florist on Skid Row in a bad way and owner Mr Mushhik is about to close down until his assistant Seymour displays a “strange and interesting plant” he has been growing. What no one knows is that the plant can talk and demands blood to survive, which the hapless Seymour is happy to supply.
Through the magic of theatre and great special effects the plant grows but so do its demands and Seymour realises he is trapped at having to meet the plants demand. Audrey 2, as the plant is known, becomes a huge brute which not only attracts customers and worldwide fame to the shop, but tries to destroy the lives of those looking after it.
Out of the main players Damian Humbley, as Seymour, gives his character more life and drive than previous incarnations of the role. While Clare Buckfield, as shop assistant Audrey, executes her role competently but fails to make any impression so you do not care what happens to her . Luckily both Alex Ferns, as the dentist Orin Scrivello (and a host of other characters) makes every second count while on stage and leaves his role, of bad boy Trevor, in TVs Eastenders well and truly behind him. While Sylvestor McCoy (one time TV Dr Who) makes the most of his role as florist Mushnik .
Director Matthew White has chosen to keep the three girls, who are in essence the backing singers with character names of Chiffon, Crystal and Ronette in different costumes and it is only towards the end they appear dressed the same. This then allows them, all to briefly in this version of the show, to be like the 1950s Chiffons or Ronettes, which I had always thought of as an essential part of the piece.
David Farley has designed a first class set and his plant design, that has changed a lot since the show opened many years ago, is cleaver and functional, especially early on when the small versions come to life.The voice of Audrey 2 is provided by Mike McShane , who justifiably like the puppeteers appears at the curtain call.
The final scene could be slightly too intense for the younger members of the audience but up to that point the show had been terrific fun for all ages.
Overall this is a worthy revival, which introduces the show to a whole new audience.
John Dixon
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