There would not be many people who do not know the story of Seymour Krelborn, the shy young man working in an unsuccessful flower shop who discovers that a carnivorous plant that he is nurturing is from outer space and has unusual tastes in plant food, not insects, but drops of his blood. He is suddenly popular, but there is a catch. The plant, that he names Audrey II, a dedication to Audrey who is the salesgirl in the shop, gets hungrier as it grows, and a few drops of blood are soon insufficient. Worse, it can speak, demanding food using that famous line, "Feed me, Seymour". The flower shop turns into the Little Shop of Horrors.
Mr. Mushnik is on the verge of closing the shop when Seymour reveals his latest plant, the growing of unusual specimens in the back room being his hobby. Mushnik derides the idea of showing it in the window to attract customers when, suddenly, a passer-by notices it and rushes in, leaving with a $100 worth of roses. Audrey II is there to stay and the shop prospers. Seymour is in love with the original Audrey, but there is a complication; her violent and sadistic motorcyclist boyfriend Orin Scrivello. There is also a Greek chorus, of sorts, the female vocal trio: Chiffon, Ronette, and Crystal.
Dark comedies are common enough but a dark musical comedy was a risky idea at the time. Fortunately for those involved in the first production, and the financial backers, it was a hit with audiences, becoming a cult musical. It does not require elaborate sets and costumes, or very complex lighting, as long as the Audrey IIs, at various stages of the plant's growth, are suitably convincing, and humorously grotesque. It has, thus, been a popular choice for amateur theatre groups, as well as professional companies.
On this occasion, Her Majesty's Theatre is home to the Luckiest Productions and Tinderbox Productions performance of this black comedy, 1950's style rock 'n' roll, science fiction, schlock horror musical. Having mentioned the importance of the quality of Audrey II, this production is undeniably something else again, as Erth Visual and Physical Inc. is the company who created her. Their exceptional puppetry was recently showcased during the Adelaide Festival with their Dinosaur Zoo, and their Prehistoric Aquarium. Audrey II is enormous, a good 3 metres tall, possibly more, and with two gigantic tentacles that extend beyond the shop part of the set in either direction. She dominates the stage and dwarfs the human actors, in a most impressive incarnation of the plant.
That brings us to the set, designed by Owen Phillips, which is completely monochrome, as are Tim Chappel's costumes, in the first act, the only colour being that of Audrey II. The second act is in full colour, and lots of it, assisted by Ross Graham's lighting design. The fact that sets costumes and lighting can be kept simple doesn't mean that they have to be, and this production shows what some imagination and effort can achieve. Jeremy Silver's sound design, of course, is also vitally important in creating the tale.
After a brief video introduction in black and white, with popular television presenter, Lee Lin Chin, as a newsreader, it is into non-stop comedy and song, interrupted only by the interval, as Audrey II grows and grows and her ultimate aim is revealed.Brent Hill plays Seymour, with Esther Hannaford as Audrey and, oh, Brent Hill is also the voice of Audrey II, which means that he spends a reasonable amount of time in the show, talking to himself. Hill was a perfect choice for the role, totally believable as the man who loves from afar and occupies himself with his pastimes to take his mind off his failure to act. He negotiates all of Seymour's ups and downs, from the elation at the success of Audrey II, through the frustration at Audrey's attachment to a man who beats and bullies her and his inability to help her, to the eventual distress brought on by Audrey II. He makes this journey more realistic than past productions which treat it all for laughs. This has darkness in the black comedy.
Hannaford evokes our sympathy as Audrey, who suffers at the hands of Orin Scrivello and whose self-esteem is so low that she clings to him, because she believes that she deserves no better. There is a touch of Marilyn Monroe in her interpretation, and it works surprisingly well. She also possesses a marvellous singing voice.Tyler Copping is Mr, Mushnik, making considerably more of the supporting role than we usually see, particularly through his physicality in his characterisation. Keep one eye on him when he is on stage.Scott Johnson is Orin Scrivello, and a nasty piece of work he makes him, in keeping with the more sinister style of this production. You will soon discover that his sadism and love of inflicting pain has led him to the right profession.Josie Lane, Chloé Zuel, and Angelique Cassimatis are Chiffon, Ronnette, and Crystal respectively. That brings us to the musical director, Andrew Worboys, and the choreographer, Andrew Hallsworth, whose work is excellent throughout, but especially to the fore in the performances of these three remarkable young women. They are a trio of triple threats, each with a unique voice, yet blending in fine harmonies, each presenting a distinct character, and all dancing with precision.
Director, Dean Bryant, has chosen his cast well and has given us a stronger reading of the musical that gives it more depth and substance, and this has proven to be a very good decision. Actions and reactions take on a considerably greater believability through this approach.
The whole work just screams quality and the cast are full of enthusiasm and obviously having a ball with this updated production that is was ahead of the film that spawned it. It is enough to send vegans running from the theatre, screaming in terror. The standing ovation and extended applause were totally expected. One could have predicted it early in the first act.
Take a peek at the trailer for this production, and then hurry to book.
