Little Shop Of Horrors

REVIEW

The Youth Theatre presented a lively and highly entertaining rendition of this musical, cheesy sci-fi cult classic. The curtain opened on girl group Chiffon, Crystal and Ronette (Chloe Powell, Sara Garrett and Laura Tattersdill) who very attractively provided the musical narration as the gruesome plot unfolded. The Skid Row florists’ shop setting was well enacted. The pair of winos (Alli Jones and Kate Mortimer) who decorated the shop front created a sustained comic double act throughout the show.

The band, led by Richard Kubiak (keyboards), were christened The Shangri-Las in keeping with the sixties’ pastiche musical format, and included Richard Wadley (piano), Chris Lovett (drums) and Rob Sherwood (guitar). They did full justice to Alan Menken’s rock ‘n roll - Motown format, balancing well with the high standard of vocals from the cast.

Dave Pearson excelled throughout in his portrayal of the ultimate nerd-made-good Seymour Krelborn. He added some deft touches in comic timing, especially in his numbers with crafty shop-owner Mr Mushnik (Lance Humphries) and the insecure Audrey (Anwen Shaw-Penman). Lance was ‘borrowed’ from the Chepstow-based Diabolical Drama group, while Anwen has been well to the fore in several productions, including the title role of Aladdin in the Savoy’s pantomime.

Alex Bargh made his Savoy debut as the gleefully sadistic dentist Orin, with a wonderfully outrageous performance as he became the first victim of the strange, carnivorous plant that Seymour had unwittingly nurtured. Public interest in the plant transforms Mushnik’s fortunes, and Seymour gains Audrey’s attention. The number “Suddenly Seymour”, by Anwen Shaw-Penman and Dave Pearson, was one of many highlights.

But alas – the situation spins out of control as Seymour tries to keep up with the plant’s bloodthirsty appetite. At this point the audience went into comedy overload, as the now-animated plant developed a highly vocal, non-PC style. The plant’s operator Sam Densham gave the creature a comically sinister personality, and her teamwork with the voice’s owner Huw Adams took the proceedings to a new level of grotesque hilarity.

Chloe Powell’s choreography was well to the fore, with a couple of well devised scene-setting numbers featuring dancers Rhi Shaw-Penman, Lola Taylor, Emma Harries and Jo Mortimer. The Savoy Youth Theatre has also gained a number of new recruits who made their mark in Skid Row, including Nat Haggett, Vicky Stevens and Kelly Evans.

This show demands close cooperation between the back stage crew and the actors on the boards. The Youth Theatre members took charge from the start. Director Dani Bailey said, “It was much harder than I thought it would be, but I’m glad I had my chance to work with such a brilliantly talented group of young people.”

Dani Bailey also paid tribute to assistant director Samantha Densham for her guidance and help, and to the hard-working stage manager Jess Walters and her crew. Anyone who saw the show would realise that staging it is a logistical nightmare even for a professional company, but the execution of each scene was well thought out and flawlessly achieved by the youngsters.

Savoy Trust Director Vic Bignell said, “This is the first show in which I haven’t been directly involved. I always knew there would be a time when I would become “surplus to requirements” and this time I was reduced to the rank of producer. I have nothing but admiration for Dani and the young people who have made this production.”

The Savoy Youth Theatre has achieved its aim in helping to develop the talents and skills of its members, and this show was further evidence of their ability to set the standard higher every time they appear.