Little Shop of Horrors, The Belgrade, Coventry, till 7th March
Coventry
The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
Chocolate Factory Productions and Jamie Hendry Productions in conjunction with The Churchill Theatre, Bromley, present:
Little Shop of Horrors
Tour Info: www.littleshopthemusical.co.uk
Based on the film by Roger Corman
Screenplay: Charles Griffiths
Book and Lyrics: Howard Ashman, Music: Alan Menken
Belgrade Theatre: Tkts 024 7655 3055: and touring:
www.belgrade.co.uk
Runs: 2h: one interval: till 7th March
Start: 7.45
Review: Jan Pick 3.3.09
Plant-astic!
The Belgrade Theatre is certainly doing its bit to encourage families into its shows with this long time favourite of the rock opera genre, ‘Little Shop of Horrors’. Based on Roger Corman’s hilarious 1960 B-movie, it tells the gory story of the alien plant from hell and seems to have a magnetic attraction for young and old alike.
This touring production is great value for money with excellent central performances from Damien Humbley as Seymour, the hopeless, shy shop assistant with an unhealthy interest in horticulture, and Clare Buckfield as the sweet, but abused Audrey, whose dream of living ‘somewhere that’s green’ comes true in a most macabre way! Sylvester McCoy makes an endearingly grumpy Mr Mushnik, and Alex Ferns, not only camps it up as Audrey’s swaggering sado-masochistic boyfriend, Orin Scrivello - much to the delight of the audience - but skilfully plays an array of bit parts as well. Add to the mix a talented trio of singers in the roles of Ronnette, Chiffon and Crystal, and last, but definitely not least, a lovely performance by Clive Rowe as the voice of Audrey 2, the man-eating plant, cajoling, threatening and finally triumphantly gloating over its victims, and you have nearly all the ingredients for a great night out.
However, no ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ can do without a convincingly horrific plant. And in this production, thanks to David Farley, it has one. Fascinatingly grotesque, infused with Clive Rowe’s huge vocal charisma, as Audrey 2 increases in size it increasingly dominates the set. This is a production where actors, music, choreography, costume and lighting combine to provide an evening out that is entertaining, yet satisfyingly scary. In fact, scary enough to put you off visiting any garden centre for life.
Cast:
Chiffon: Nadia Di Mambro
Crystal: Cathryn Davis
Ronette: Donna Hines
Mushnik: Sylvester McCoy
Audrey: Clare Buckfield
Seymour: Damian Humbley
Orin Scrivello & everyone else: Alex Ferns
Audrey II: Clive Rowe
Audrey II puppeteer: Andy Heath:
Brian Herring
Iestyn Evans
Ensemble: Morgan Deare, Lara Martin, Christopher Ragland
Director: Matthew White
Set, Costume &Plant Design: David Farley
Choreography: Lynne Page
Musical Supervision: Caroline Humphris
Lighting: David Howe
Sound: Gareth Owen for ORBITAL
Orchestrations: Robby Merkin
Vocal Arrangements: Robert Billig
Puppet Consultant: Nigel Plasket
Associate Director: Matthew Eames
Assistant Choreographer: Rebecca Howell
Wardrobe Supervisor: Tracey Stiles
Wardrobe Master: Will Burgess
Wigs: Linda McKnight
Company Manager: Lee Batty
DSM: Martin Hinkins
ASM: Samantha Bond
Technical ASM: Paul Thompson
Dance Captain: Cathryn Davis
Sound No 1: Adam McReady
Sound No 2: Ollie Steel
Band
Piano/Musical Director: Toby Higgins
Keyboard: Jodie Oliver
Guitar: Duncan Floyd
Bass: Gordon Davidson
Drums: Matt French
Orchestral Manager: Sylvia Addison for Music Solutions
2009-03-08 20:45:18