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This latest Crucible Christmas musical has energy, innovation and excellent performances. With a clearer time and place setting it would be even better. Summary
Rating
Good
Little Shop of Horrors feels like a fresh new musical, but it started life in 1960 as a film comedy. Adapted as a musical in 1982, the musical film version followed in 1986, with Levi Stubbs memorably voicing the flesh eating plant, Audrey II. Down on his luck Seymour works in Mushnik’s flower shop and pines for his co-worker, Audrey. A mysterious ailing seedling begins to thrive when it tastes blood and becomes more and more demanding.
The show is set in the US, but director Amy Hodge has opted to give all her cast English accents. There’s nothing wrong with that, but the script still contains references to US culture and references which jar slightly when spoken with an English regional dialect. This is most noticeable when Georgina Onuorah’s Audrey sings ‘Somewhere That’s Green’. The lyrics are unchanged from the original and is full of references to 1960s America. Except this production does not appear to be either set in the 60s or America. There are many anachronisms, and they actually distract from the fact that Onuorah’s voice is soulful and rich – a total contrast to the demure film version. This Audrey comes across as confident and sassy, telling Mushnik not to shout at Seymour at one point. It feels out of character that she would allow herself to be the victim of her boyfriend’s coercive control.
Having said that, there is much to enjoy in this production. The three narrators, Ronette, Chiffon and Crystal (Lizzy Rose Esin Kelly, Paige Fenlon and Charlotte Jaconelli) act as a type of Greek chorus, interacting with the other characters while maintaining a distance to connect with the audience. It’s a very effective device. They are all strong vocalists, and their 60s girl-group style harmonies are well balanced.
Playing the show’s bad guy, Orin, is Wilf Scolding. His song ‘Be A Dentist’ is full-on comedy sadism, well sung and highly entertaining. Scolding’s Orin is charming and charismatic, being amusingly honest about his evil intent.
Another highlight is ‘Mushnik and Son’ where Mushnik (Michael Matus) and Seymour (Colin Ryan) hilariously dance an Argentine Tango while the ensemble moodily dance the Paso Doble around them. Tonight’s audience loved it.
So what about the alien meat-eating plant, Audrey II? Against normal convention the plant is played by an actor, Sam Buttery, in a sparkly green costume. She is not confined to the plant pot but oozes almost seductively as she persuades Seymour to feed her. As she grows, she is joined by members of the ensemble, entwining together. It’s an innovative idea which, in the main, works well. She sings ‘Feed Me’ with comic menace and is totally different from the iconic plant in the film version of the musical – no doubt a very deliberate choice.
The vocal highlight of the production is Audrey and Seymour’s duet ‘Suddenly Seymour’. They have contrasting singing voices which blend well to give a powerful rendition. The lighting design adds to the impact of the song, giving it an almost ethereal quality.
This is a very entertaining production, with some excellent performances and witty moments, such as incidental characters popping up from wheely bins. Most of the audience was on its feet cheering at the exuberant ‘Don’t Feed The Plants’ finale and clearly thoroughly enjoyed the show.
Book and Lyrics by: Howard Ashman
Music by: Alan Menken
Directed by: Amy Hodge
Designed by: Georgia Lowe
Choreographed by: Jade Hackett
Lighting Designed by: Jessica Hung Han Yun
Sound Designed by: Rob Bettle
Musical Direction by: Chris Poon
Puppetry Designed & Directed by: Daisy Beattie and Seb Mayer
Little Shop of Horrors plays at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre until 18 January. Further information and tickets available here.
