Little Shop of Horrors
Review, The Stage
Simon MacDonald
In-house production continues to thrive at the Jersey Opera House. Little Shop of Horrors is a natural choice to follow the popular Grease, which entertained audiences last summer. Director Ian Stephens’ analogy of the Faustian theme is particularly apt as the audience peers in on the love/hate relationship of Seymour and the bloodthirsty and superbly-rendered Audrey II during the course of the show. All of which is played out in front of a dingy, 20-watt bulb-lit skid row set, atmospherically realised by designer Maggie Stephens.
Ashley Vallance is brilliant as the ingenue Seymour, both evocative of the young Rick Moranis in the screen version and yet ably delivering his own performance – one to watch out for. He is well-supported by the statuesque Tracy Shaw, whose platinum blonde hair and white teeth reference Marilyn Monroe, right down to the iconic billowed skirt image. Seymour falls for her breathy voice as much as he falls for her looks.
John Altman as ‘Orrible Orin the sadistic dentist gets a role that he will surely come to relish. Harry Dickman provides excellent support as old man Mushnik and supplies some memorable stage pictures in the song Mushnik and Son. The supporting cast is superb – Chiffon, Crystal and Ronette, played by Claire Coates, Caroline Keiff and Gabriella Khan respectively, act, dance and sing as one.
But of course, the true star of the show is Audrey II, whose numerous incarnations are wonderfully created and manipulated by Andy Heath and demonically voiced by Neal Wright – a frightening cross between Barry White and Jack Nicholson in The Shining.
The look, sound and music of this production is cleverly presented and, once sound problems have been balanced, provide two hours of pacy and comic entertainment. I’m going again and this time I’ll take the kids.