LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS @ ROS PACKER THEATRE

Audrey-II-Esther-Hannaford and Brent-Hill. Production photography by Jeff Busby.
Audrey-II-Esther-Hannaford and Brent-Hill. Production photography by Jeff Busby.

Seymour Krelborn (Brent Hill) has come from bleak beginnings. He is often reminded of this by Mr. Mushnik (Tyler Coppin), who rescued Seymour from an orphanage to work at his run down florist on skid row. Seymour holds a flame for Mushnik’s quirky and warm hearted employee, Audrey (Esther Hannaford), but, she has resigned herself to sadistic dentist, Orin Scrivello, DDS, (Scott Johnson).

The shop is in disarray. Drenched in monochrome, it is decorated with garbage bins, a bum and three feisty chorus girls (Josie Lane, Chloe Zuel, Angelique Cassimatis). The girls open the show and proceed to break into a few numbers stylishly achieved by choreographer Andrew Hallsworth and musical director Andrew Worboys.

Seymour attempts to increase clientele by showing off a quirky plant he discovered, nicknamed Audrey II. After weeks of failed attempts to grow the plant, Seymour stumbles across the key as he pricks his finger and realises his plant has a fresh appetite for human blood.The horror show unfolds, as Mushnik’s florist begins to thrive, Seymour must wrestle with his own morals and just how far he is willing to go.

The ensemble cast is flawless, capturing the energy, humour and soul that made the low budget 1960s film version such a successful cult classic on stage.

Owen Phillip’s set highlights the shop’s journey from a run down wasteland to a hot spot, with the shift from spooky grey to punchy colours in the second act.  

A special mention must be made to the wonderful team who brought to life the charismatic, carnivorous villain. It would have been easy to derail this musical with a less than perfect Audrey II,  but Erth Visual & Physical Inc with animator Jamie Clennett turn the silly into the ingenious.

Director Dean Bryant hoped to achieve the perfect balance of funny, moving and scary.  He  succeeds in leaps and bounds. The aptly titled Little Shop of Horrors will leave audiences hesitant to visit a dentist anytime soon, considering the number of household plants they own and, if the raucous standing ovation is anything to go by, thoroughly entertained.

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS is playing  the Roslyn Packer Theatre, Walsh Bay until July 30.

https://www.roslynpackertheatre.com.au/whats-on/productions/2016/little-shop-of-horrors