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POSTED: 16 NOV 08

Little Shop of Horrors

(New Theatre, Newtown, Sydney, until 13 December)

If the reaction of the opening night audience at Newtown’s New Theatre’s, production of Little Shop of Horrors is any guide, this show is off to a bright start.

This musical is based on the concept and dark comic tone of the 1960 film. It is one of the longest running off Broadway shows of all time and a favourite with school musical producers.

The “Little Shop” is a flower shop on Skid Row, New York. The “Horror” comes from the exotic and increasingly disturbing plant named Audrey II.

This energetic cast is well directed and choreographed. The chorus of three female street urchins effectively link elements of the story. The band provide a lively accompaniment.

Highlight performances include Andrew Threlfall as Seymour and Tony Taylor as Mr Mushnik. Stephen Anderson very capably plays the motorbike-riding masochistic dentist Orin but also a number of smaller roles.

The standout performer is Sophie Webb as Audrey. Her rendition of Somewhere That’s Green and the second act duet of Suddenly, Seymour revealed a wonderful sense of comic pathos and also a strong and resonant voice.

Perhaps the ending needed a little more punch but it’s a fun musical — a bit of Rocky Horror meets Leader of the Pack.

See it and you won’t view a flower shop in quite the same way again!