Little Shop Of Horrors (Bromsgrove Operatic Society)

One of the Cult Horror Musicals, the story of Audrey II, the man-eating plant with ideals to take over the world is a great piece of musical theatre and highly popular on the amateur circuit. Bromsgrove Operatic Society have managed to implant what is quite an exuberant show into the relatively small acting space of the Norbury Theatre, Droitwich.

Craig Robert McDowall takes on the role of Seymour Krelborn, made famous by Rick Moranis in the 1987 Movie and brings some tuneful vocals and an effectively geeky persona to the character. Equally musically accomplished but, probably better described as ‘ditzy’ is Gill Rowland’s portrayal of love interest Audrey, the two make a heart-warming couple in a world around them that’s completely extraordinary.

Probably the highlight performance for me is Dave Francis Williams as Orin Scrivello (DDS !), this is a role you can really lose yourself in and I believe that’s exactly what happened here, that demonic laugh can’t be a normal reaction.

Some effective and soulful singing from Amelia Willetts, Karen Perrey and Emelia McNeill as pseudo-narrators Chiffon, Crystal and Ronnette, keeps the pace rapid, which is a vital requirement to keep the audience engrossed in the action. Mac Rawlins is suitably confused, suspicious and ultimately accusing as Skid Row Florist, Mushnik, one of many to meet their final demise inside the plant.

Probably the most striking voice comes from Emma Holland as the Voice of Audrey II, I certainly had visions of Aretha Franklin and fully justified a female voice when historically it would always be male (the late, great Levi Stubbs of The Four Tops in the movie).

One of the surprises has to be Audrey II itself, an interesting mix of puppetry and robotics and controlled with some dexterity at different points by Esther Nicholas, Peter Nicholas and David Edmonds.

Only one performance remaining of this likeable and entertaining production, so grab those tickets and go ‘somewhere that’s green’ but, ‘don’t feed the plants’ !

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