Little Shop of Horrors, directed by Lotte Wakeham, has arrived at its final stop of the tour, Hull Truck Theatre. Alan Menken and Howard Ashman’s cult classic musical focuses on Seymour, a worker at a florist, who discovers a sentient carnivorous plant that feeds on human blood. This production has been presented by New Wolsey Theatre, Hull Truck
Theatre, Octagon Theatre Bolton, and Theatre by the Lake.
The whole cast were incredibly talented, most being actor-musicians, both acting and playing their various instruments on stage throughout the show. A special shout out should be given to the incredible Janna May, Zweyla Mitchell dos Santos, and Chardai Shaw (Chiffon, Crystal, and Ronnette respectively) for some of the best harmonies I’ve heard in a show, whilst often providing a hit of comedy (if the show didn’t need anymore!). Oliver
Mawdsley was made to play the role of Seymour and provides amazing on-stage chemistry with Audrey, played by Laura Jane Matthewson. Of course, another shout out should go to the two cast members who played Audrey II – Matthew Heywood, as Audrey II’s puppeteer, who was fantastic at capturing the plant’s personality, and Anton Stephans, who voiced the plant so brilliantly, you were always hoping he’d be making an appearance again soon!
The set (TK Hay) was very simple, but so effective. Allowing the shop to be the focal point of the stage, yet still providing the additional space around to replicate Skid Row. The lighting (Nic Farman) complimented the set perfectly, allowing to create atmosphere in quite a small space. And the Audrey II puppets (Michael Fowkes) were so incredible, managing to capture different elements of the plant as it kept growing bigger and bigger.
This production of Little Shop of Horrors is pure escapism and just shows how amazing the productions from smaller UK theatres can be. Little Shop of Horrors will be playing at Hull Truck Theatre until 8th June 2024 - for more information and tickets, you can follow the link here.
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Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | photography by Pamela Raith