Little Shop of Horrors

Cult classic Little Shop of Horrors is currently being presented by Melville Theatre Company to very receptive audiences.

The second week of this season turned out to be somewhat of a horror itself. Friday evening’s performance had to be cancelled due to a tree bringing down a power line, and Saturday’s performance had to be halted a few minutes into the show, due to technical issues, with the offstage band unable to hear the singing. Fortunately, an interim solution to the technical issue was found, and the show was able to resume, with the problem rectified at interval.

The issues did not seem to adversely affect the production on Saturday once the show resumed - at least from the audience’s perspective - with the cast and band delivering strong performances despite additional challenges.

This is a design heavy production, with director Craig Griffen designing costumes, set and puppets, with a set that moves with choreography of its own. Mushnik’s Flower Shop is constructed from a grey cityscape and costumes, a little like The Wizard of Oz, begin in greyscale and gradually move into colour, and much of the design is outstanding and clever. Unfortunately, what is usually the piece-de-resistance in this show, the later incarnations of man-eating plant Audrey II, felt a little under designed, as if they had run out of time and cobbled together a solution. As Audrey II gets bigger, she becomes humanoid, played by Daniel Burton (and eventually also by other members of the ensemble). Despite an excellent effort and great expression from Daniel, this choice, though sometimes quite artistic, doesn’t have the same schlock pleasure of the traditional giant puppet.

Lochlan Curtis is a lovely unlikely hero as Seymour and anchors the production very well. Grace Johnson, playing outside her usual casting type as Audrey, is simply gorgeous, perhaps my favourite Audrey of all time, a fabulous blend of “Tart with a Heart” and pure and honest vulnerability.

Chris Alvaro is aged up very convincingly to play Mr Mushnik, in a beautifully drawn character performance that has surprising depth. Tomas Clifford is an unusual Orin, not physically imposing, but unnerving and impressively unpleasant. 

Great teamwork and sass from the urchins - Abrieanne Aviles as Ronette, Adriana Herrera as Chiffon and Natalie Winsall as Crystal - while the small ensemble - Steven Correia, Ellie Hart-Peterson, Matthew Walford and Sarah McCabe - play cameo roles with quick and cutting characterisation and provide solid support throughout.

Musically this show is very solid, with some excellent vocals and a strong band under the leadership of dynamic duo Musical Directors Tara Oorjitham and Taui Pinker, who alternate conducting duties.

A short sharp show that is heart-warming despite its unlikely storyline. A fabulous tribute to the B picture, celebrated in the program and front of house decor, this production is simply good fun. 

Kimberley Shaw