Review: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, Crescent Theatre Birmingham

Iconic musical Little Shop of Horrors has been entertaining theatre audiences for over 30 years.

Telling the story of meek florist shop assistant Seymour, who stumbles across a weird an interesting plant one day after a total eclipse of the sun. He names the plant Audrey II after his work crush Audrey who is dating a Dentist who beats her and generally treats her unacceptably.

How can he get the girl? What does he need to feed Audrey II in order to make her grow? Could getting rid of the Dentist be the answer to both his problems? And where exactly did Audrey II come from?

With a catchy score written by Alan Menken and book and lyrics by Howard Ashman, you will be singing all the way home.

Directed by Kevin Middleton, this production captures the humour and absurdity of the situation.

Daniel Parker is the perfect Seymour, with just the right amount of nerd and cute lovability.  His vocal talents standout and he sits very comfortably in the role throughout.

The trio of street urchins (Crystal, Chiffon and Ronnette), played by Kimberley Maynard, Hannah Lyons and Becky Johnson, have some nice harmonies, but lack a little sass and could have gone a lot further with their all-American attitude.

Likewise, Helena Stanway as Audrey sounds strong vocally, but is not as naive as the character stereotypically calls for.

The star of the show, as always, is the plant, Audrey II. The puppetry at times is slightly distracting as the audience can see the puppeteer inside moving a bit too much, but voiced by Mark Shaun Walsh does not disappoint and carries the brashness needed to take over the planet, whilst being amusing at the same time.

The production is entertaining and an evening of laughs and toe tapping tunes is satisfactory.

Classic, comedic and slightly chilling!

Reviewed by: Rachel Louise Martin

Little Shop of Horrors plays at the Crescent Theatre, Birmingham until 7 May, with tickets available here.