★★★★✩
The story of Seymour Krelbourn and his man eating plant has captivated audiences since 1960 when the original low budget B movie captured the public imagination. Freely adapted by composers Alan Menken and Howard Ashman in 1982 as a high camp 1960s extravaganza for the stage, the musical has gone on to become a firm favourite with theatre audiences across the globe. This year is the 40th anniversary of the cult 1986 movie adaptation starring Rick Moranis and original stage star Ellen Greene as Audrey, and there is no better time for the show to introduce itself and the cautionary tale of horticulture gone wrong to a new generation.
For the few people who might not have witnessed any of the various incarnations of this story, we are visiting Mushnik's Florists on a downtown 'skid row' in the 1960s where Seymour has fallen for his fellow florist Audrey, and whilst the attraction is mutual, Audrey is engaged to the decidedly unpleasant and sadistic dentist Orin. Meanwhile Seymour discovers a plant which can talk! The trouble is the only food it seems to crave is blood. And so begins the tale of unrequited love, dastardly dentistry and a growth spurt that will have consequences for everyone at Mushniks.
The last stage production we saw of Little Shop was back in the 1990s when Su Pollard was Audrey, so our return to the show is long overdue, and being fans of Hope Mill Theatre productions, the combination of the two proved irresistible.
Sure enough the small stage had been converted by designer Morgan Large into an ingenious fold out diorama which conceals the shop whilst also acting as a street and dentist surgery when required, neon lighting and lots of little flourishes that conjured up the early 1960s were scattered around the set. Its a stylish vista and once more confirms that the space limitations of Hope Mill's stage is an inspirational nugget for creativity.
Director Carrie-Anne Ingrouille makes sure the pace is kept up throughout the two hours, as events take over the staff of Mushniks and they play their part in the green invasion. EastEnders star Maisie Smith takes on the iconic role of Audrey, thankfully she doesn't go down the route of doing an Ellen Greene impersonation and makes her Audrey just as vulnerable and passive as the original, but finds a fresh take on the character which stays within the limits of grotesque. Her singing is equally impressive, and 'Somewhere That's Green' was delivered with a delicacy that had the audience in rapt attention. The key role of Seymour was unexpectedly announced as being played by Joseph Peacock (Jed Berry presumably being indisposed) which was no disappointment to us as we had seen Joseph shine in Becoming Nancy, Muriel's Wedding and The Osmonds Musical over the past few years. Sure enough he doesn't miss a beat during his cover assignment. He finds the nerdy, socially awkward truth in Seymour again without resorting to over the top parody. Peacock's voice is also on point, and the love duet with Smith 'Suddenly Seymour' again proves a highlight of the show. A fine talent.
Michael Starke is wonderful in the role of shop owner Mushnik, his curmudgeonly manner and subsequent gleeful acceptance of the good fortune blessed on his shop are the bedrock of events. Starke captures Mushnik's persona effortlessly. Benjamin Yates' sadistic dentist Orin is perhaps the single highlight of the show, he comes on looking like and with the star quality of Freddie Mercury, in a cut off dental top, displaying abs a plenty and then proceeds to hijack the show with a energy fest rock turn. Marcus Ayrton as Audrey II almost matches him on the camp-ometer with a plant that clearly has attitude, and when finally Ayrton is revealed at the curtain call he doesn't disappoint. Perhaps the biggest vocal contribution to the show comes from the street girls Rio Maye (Chiffon), Psalms-Nissi Myers-Reid (Crystal) and Gabrielle Davina Smith (Ronette) whose do-wopping and 60s girl group energy keep the show at boiling point. They are pop divas.
A musical is only as good as the band in residence, and luckily for Little Shop Of Horrors Ben Barrow and his three fellow players make sure the pop score is given full respect, and leaves the audience tapping their feet throughout the performance.
Hope Mill Theatre seem to have done it again, and surely have a whopping hit on their hands with this evergreen(!) classic. Skid Row has never been such fun and this Little Shop should attract capacity business. Whatever they offer you, don't give up your ticket!
Rob & Ian
Full details of the new production which runs until 28th November 2026, can be found at the HOPE MILL THEATRE website The production then runs at the LIVERPOOL PLAYHOUSE from 3rd December until 9th January 2027.
Further listening:
Lots to choose from here with recordings from around the world, but we recommend this 2019 off-Broadway recording featuring Tammy Blanchard, Jonathan Groff and Christian Borle. Fresh as a daisy and direct from NY.
