Little Shop of Horrors at Northern Stage and Derby Theatre – review

Forty years on from the 1986 film adaptation of Little Shop Of Horrors – catapulting it from its earlier cinematic and stage iterations to Hollywood legend – this production of the much-loved tale of a man and his plant is sure to delight audiences just as much as it did four decades ago.

Presented by Northern Stage and Derby Theatre, this version preserves the magic of the cult classic while bringing the story to life for a modern audience through two hours of incredible sights, sounds and reimagining of beloved characters.

As a lover of post-apocalyptic retroism, the show’s backdrop presses all the right nostalgic buttons for me, with glowing neon strip lights, ladders and screens leaning at sharp geometric angles, and an other-worldly grittiness usually reserved for film noir. Under Sarah Brigham’s direction, the carefully illuminated and smoke-filled stage is set for the monstrous version of this tale as old as time – the man who wanted more at any cost.

The symbolic use of colour and light throughout the production is especially effective at bringing us into the fraught world of Skid Row, with glowing greens, vibrant purples and pinks, and angry reds reminding the audience of the almost Faustian stakes of protagonist Seymour Krelborn, played as convincingly as a young Moranis by Kristian Cunningham.

Amena El-Kindy brings a fiery depth to the tragic Audrey and arrests with her incredible vocals, while Jon Bonner’s Mr Mushnik adds a warmth while simultaneously skirting around caricature with his dynamic performance. The dulcet tones of the production’s Audrey II, voiced brilliantly by Tasha Dowd, give a strangely enchanting and almost likable presence to the carnivorous creature.

One standout performance is that of David Rankine. Playing the sadistic Orin Scrivello (DDS., let us not forget!) Rankine brings a new level of exaggerated camp fun to an already outrageous character – if such a thing were possible – with his sequin-trim scrubs and hysterical high notes.

Alongside playing the iconic evil dentist to perfection, Rankine seamlessly transforms into several supporting characters, from the comically noir-coded Bernstein to the lascivious editor’s wife and the pushy Patrick Martin who is hellbent on the proliferation of little Audreys everywhere.

There’s no doubt that this production is made by its music. With Motown and blues-inspired instrumentals and vocals from Chiffon (Chioma Uma), Crystal (Shekinah McFarlane), and Ronette (Emmanuella Chede) as well as brass and strings from supporting musicians, each note earns its place.

While well-paced overall, momentum occasionally dips, and an abrupt return from the interval feels slightly clunky. A potentially unnecessary disclaimer at the beginning of the show asking audiences to refrain from singing along could arguably take some of the joy out of the room before the scene is even set.

Luckily, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise deliciously nostalgic, camp and visually electric night of theatre. Little Shop of Horrors is back… and it’s hungry!