Some musicals are beloved for a reason, and Little Shop of Horrors is certainly one of them. I’ve known the show for years through the film and its music, but last night I finally got to experience it live on stage at Lighthouse Poole, and it was every bit as good as I’d hoped – and then some!
For anyone unfamiliar with the story, Little Shop of Horrors follows Seymour, a shy florist with a passion for plants, who discovers a rather unusual specimen he names Audrey II. The plant quickly becomes the unlikely star attraction of the flower shop, but there’s a catch: it has a very particular appetite, and keeping it fed leads Seymour down an increasingly dark, dangerous and hilariously chaotic path. It’s a wonderfully twisted mix of comedy, romance, rock ’n’ roll and horror, with a plant that’s anything but your average house guest!
This production is a collaboration between Exeter Northcott Theatre, Lighthouse Poole and Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre, bringing the show to audiences across the three venues. But there’s an extra special element to this collaboration, too. Each theatre has its own local community ensemble, made up of people who auditioned to be part of the production in their hometown. It’s a brilliant way to bring local people into a professional production and gives the show an added sense of community. At this point I'd like to shout out Sophie McCudden who, even as part of the ensemble with no lines herself, was so engaging when she was on stage. Putting everything into her performance clearly absolutely loving every minute. I'm looking forward to seeing what she does next and could absolutely see her in bigger roles in the future.
The casting throughout this production was absolutely stunning. Scott McClure was perfectly cast as Seymour, bringing just the right combination of awkward charm and heart to the role. Honestly, I couldn’t imagine anyone doing a better job.
Leigh Quinn was equally perfect as Audrey. She played the character with such warmth and love, capturing everything that makes Audrey so endearing without simply copying the iconic performance made famous by Ellen Greene. Instead, she made the character her own while still channelling that familiar Audrey charm, and it worked beautifully.
Ronnette (Laura Buhaglar), Chiffon (Jodie Micciché) and Crystal (Jessica Ncube) were fantastic as the trio who help narrate the story through their incredible vocals and performances. They were a constant highlight, bringing so much energy and personality to the stage.
Ross Clifton was an absolute riot as the dentist and in his other roles. His energy was infectious, his comic timing was spot-on, and he has an incredible singing voice to match. Every time he stepped onto the stage, he owned it. He was a huge part of the show's comedy and had the audience eating out of the palm of his hand.
Dashaun Vegas provided the voice of Audrey II, and what a voice! His vocals were insane, and it was a real treat to finally see him at the end of the show. He brought so much power to the role, adding another layer to one of the production's most memorable elements.
Andrew Whitehead was also brilliant as Mr Mushnik. One of the more beautiful moments of the evening came when he and Seymour sang together, providing a lovely contrast to the show's bigger comedic moments.
Visually, this production was everything I’d hoped for and more. The set worked brilliantly, the lighting was spot-on, and I particularly loved the stage transitions as Audrey II grew. Watching the plant develop throughout the show was a real highlight, and the production team did a fantastic job of bringing the story to life.
There’s a lot to get right with a musical as well-loved as Little Shop of Horrors, especially when audiences already have such a strong connection to the film and its iconic characters. This production strikes that balance beautifully, delivering all the comedy, heart and larger-than-life musical moments you could want while giving the show its own identity.
I went into the theatre having been looking forward to this production for a long time, and I came away absolutely delighted. With a phenomenal cast, fantastic vocals, plenty of laughs and some genuinely lovely moments, this is a production that deserves to be seen.
Little Shop of Horrors is at Lighthouse Poole until Saturday, so there’s still time to grab your tickets. If you’re a fan of the musical, or you’ve never experienced it on stage before, this one is well worth seeing.
Tickets are still available here > https://www.lighthousepoole.co.uk/event/little-shop-of-horrors/
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