In the middle of a black and white set, three girls dressed in green come onto stage and burst into song. It is in this way the musical begins. Renee Lamb, Christina Modestou and Seyi Omooba are fantastic as the street urchins Chiffon, Ronnette and Crystal (the trio that essentially narrate the musical). Each equipped with a fabulous voice and some sharp choreography, they kick the show off to a fiery start. Their opening numbers were so good that I was practically jumping out of my chair! After the first five minutes I knew that I was in for a treat! |
Business is non-existent as usual in Mr Mushnik's florist shop on Skid Row. That all changes when Seymour puts out a "strange and interesting" plant that he bought for $1.95 after a total eclipse of the sun. Suddenly people are flocking from all over to see the plant, Audrey II (named after Seymour's colleague, an insecure girl who is in an abusive relationship with a dentist) and business is booming. However, it turns out that the plant is in fact carnivorous, and it compels Seymour to feed him human blood, with the promise of getting bigger and therefore bringing in more customers. The musical is eccentric and exciting, building to an absolutely crazy finale bursting with colour, sound, and some pretty fabulous costumes.
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As the musical starts, skyscraper buildings are wheeled on in the trolleys of down and outs, and a shrunken Mr Mushnik's shop sits abandoned centre stage. Everything is bleak and dismal. By the end of the play, well into Audrey II's world domination scheme, it is hard to find one area of the stage that hasn't got a plant tendril or a bud (or something other of a similar horticultural nature) hanging out of it. It is a wonderful transformation as bits of plant just pop out from about everywhere you can imagine!
The production is full of surprises for both those who are familiar with the musical and those who are experiencing it for the first time. As well as all of the famous songs, it also includes a selection of songs that were cut from the movie, my particular favourite being "Mushnik and Son". The music is first class and the songs are just so catchy, and performed with such gusto by the cast, you'll be singing them all the way home!
I think that what really makes Maria Aberg's production of Little Shop Of Horrors so exciting and new is, as well as the unique green setting of the theatre itself, the casting of a drag queen in the role of Audrey II. Vicky Vox sparkles and shines in this role, embodying the over-dramatic diva-ness of the carnivorous vegetable perfectly. She has a terrific voice, and with her fabulous costume and sparkly makeup she is such fun to watch! |
This production of Little Shop Of Horrors really packs a punch with all of it's exuberance and energy. The superb cast nail every single number and really make it a night to remember. You absolutely must see it!