Bournemouth Pavilion
Review by Liz Turner
The Mean Green Mother from Outta Space is back in this exciting new production of Little Shop of Horrors.
Sell a Door’s new touring show had its debut at Bournemouth Pavilion and this monster musical lives up to its cult status.
The show has gone back to its roots and is set in the 1950s, the original film having been made in 1960. With plenty of this period’s rock ‘n’ roll, doo-wop and Motown music, the audience can’t help but bop along to the beat.
It’s the story of downbeat Skid Row orphan Seymour, sympathetically played by Sam Lupton, who works in a failing florists. His discovery of a rare plant, which turns out to be alien, turns the business round leading him to fame and fortune – but there is a price. The evil plant thrives on human blood and demands tasty treats. Strange about the missing people…
Nerdy, hapless Seymour, at the heart of the show, is in love with flower shop girl Audrey, delightfully played by Stephanie Clift and he names the plant Audrey II after her. Audrey’s abusive boyfriend dentist Orin, who eventually gets his just desserts, is played by ‘X Factor’ discovery Rhydian. His show-stopping interpretation of the pyscho motorbiking dentist, with his swagger and nitrous induced delusion of grandeur received rapturous applause.
Crystal Sasha (Latoya), Chiffon (Vanessa Fisher) and Ronnette (Cassie Clare) surely inspired by The Supremes, anchor the show, breaking the fourth wall and their beautiful voices harmonise to magnificent effect.
Audrey II, brought to life by puppeteer John Wilmott and voiced by Neil Nicholas, was amazingly convincing. I’ll never again look at a Venus flytrap in the same way.
Hilariously funny, catchy music and superb acting – this show’s destined to be a winner.
Little Shop of Horrors continues at Bournemouth Pavilion until 13 August.
