First staged in the early 1980s, Little Shop of Horrors has become a cult favourite, delighting audiences for decades with its unique mix of humour, heart and horror. Directed by Sarah Brigham, this bold new actor-musician production reimagines the much-loved musical, blending dark comedy, horror and an unforgettable score featuring hits including Suddenly Seymour, Skid Row (Downtown) and Feed Me (Git It!).
This new production of Little Shop of Horrors promised a high-energy, big-hearted and gloriously mischievous night out in Skid Row and it delivered. The cast threw themselves into their roles with an enthusiasm which was contagious and the audience responded in kind. Applause, laughter and groans of revulsion exploded from the audience at regular intervals as they wholeheartedly engaged with the show. The audience responded equally to the moments of despair, confusion and horror that the performance presented. Although set in America, the decay of small towns, the greed of corporate business is equally the story of the 1980s in Britain and both sides of the Atlantic in 2026. Sarah Brigham, Director, tells us that “The central question is what are we willing to feed to get ahead and who pays the price when we do? “
The cast
Taking centre stage is Amena El-Kindy, best known for her role as Éponine in the West End production of Les Misérables, starring as Audrey alongside Kristian Cunningham as Seymour. Poor beleaguered Audrey sings her way into our hearts, our concern deepening as we realise how horrendous her boyfriend Orin is. While Seymour, poor little Seymour falls helplessly in love with Audrey we feel only pain and pity has he moves closer to disaster, despite the apparent success of Audrey II. We know it will end in tears, even as we celebrate the demise of Orin, deliciously played by David Rankine. Those of us of a certain age will remember the horrors of dental treatment without pain relief and Orin transported me right back to my childhood experiences in Doncaster! Hideous! Young people have no idea the horror they have escaped!
They are joined by a standout ensemble including Emmanuella Chede, Shekinah McFarlane, and Chioma Uma as the iconic Urchins trio, with Tasha Dowd as the voice of Audrey II and Ross Lennon bringing the infamous plant to life. The Urchins are fabulous, their voices mesmerising, their role expertly holding the whole thing together as they play the roles alternatively of friend and narrator. Tasha Dowd meanwhile excels as the voice of Audrey II, exploding onto the stage in the finale with pizzaz, like a thunderbolt suddenly hitting the stage. Ross meanwhile becomes every more appalling as Audrey II. It’s as though ‘loads of money’ from the 1980’s as returned. If you weren’t born then Look it up!!
Not least Mr Mushnik takes us into the world of the struggling small business, desperately trying to stay afloat in Skid Row, an area of poverty and despair. We share his joy at Seymour’s success with Audrey II, while we are simultaneously appalled at the way he exploits Seymour. Hannah Woodward provides delightful musical support with Wilf Stone adding energy to the performance.
And creatives
Set and costume designer Verity Quinn does a fantastic job with both! Watching the shop shrink and disappear as Audrey II grows vividly demonstrates that ‘The flower shop sits inside a vast impersonal corporate ecosystem, it is one tiny business that will be swallowed up by a system that demands growth at any cost’, Sarah Brigham, Director. Verity’s costumes further add to powerful message the story is giving us. Particularly effective are the Urchins, as Audrey’s friends they are quirky but as the Fates they glitter gorgeously in migraine inducing neon sequin outfits adding to the energy of the room. Ben Glover’s Creative Captions were inspired, enabling deaf and hard of hearing audience members to access any performance, and adding another layer to the experience we all shared.
Relevance today
Set in the 1980s the Little Shop of Horrors remains relevant today. As contemporary corporate greed seems to consume all in its path, small towns and small businesses are left behind and with them their communities. Lives are fractured as people fight to survive in an increasingly hostile environment. Greed is paramount and the dreams of John and Jane Doe or John and Jane Smith, of ‘Somewhere that’s Green’ are trampled underfoot. Yet this message which could leave the audience feeling down, is delivered with an energy and passion, that goes nuclear in the finale, that the overwhelming feeling at the end is of joy and the belief that all will be well! I left smiling.
Thank you
Thank you to Northern Stage and Derby Theatre for providing such an excellent evening and supporting not only artistic excellence. Donations at the end to ‘Pay it Forward’, to enable those less fortunate to participate in and engage with theatre was inspired.
Thank you to Northern Stage for giving me the opportunity to engage with such a high-octane performance.
You can book tickets here.
