Review: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, Theatre Royal, Glasgow, 15 November 2016

Mushnik's flower shop has the unfortunate location of downtrodden Skidrow where he doesn't get much custom. Before Mushnik is forced to close the shop and let his loyal staff Seymour and Audrey go, Seymour breeds a new species of plant which has customers flocking to their store. Named Audrey II, this plant is quite the attraction and nobody has seen anything like it, but things aren't quite what they seem and Audrey II develops a taste for blood...

Rhydian is superb as the thoroughly unlikeable Orin. Choosing a career as a dentist because he likes inflicting pain and beating up his good-natured girlfriend Audrey, you are definitely rooting for him to meet a grisly end. In the lead role of Seymour is the wonderful Sam Lupton, who has a fantastic voice and excellent comedic timing. Stephanie Clift gives a standout performance as Audrey and brings her powerhouse vocals to the likes of "Somewhere That's Green" and "Suddenly, Seymour".

Special mention also has to go to Josh Wilmott as puppeteer for Audrey II, who is undoubtedly the star of the show. The musical was a lot darker than I anticipated from a show that's set in a florist, but it is wickedly funny.

With catchy songs, a hilarious script and brilliant performances Little Shop Of Horrors is fun, silly and definitely unique.

Little Shop of Horrors runs at the Theatre Royal until Saturday 19 November

Photo credit: Matt Martin Photography