Richmond Operatic Society’s production of Little Shop of Horrors at The Georgian Theatre Royal is a gloriously entertaining triumph – a deliciously dark, foot-tapping musical comedy that proves exactly why this cult classic has remained so beloved for decades.
From the moment the curtain rose on opening night, the audience was swept into the strange and sinister world of Skid Row, where downtrodden florist Seymour Krelborn discovers a mysterious plant with an alarming appetite. Beneath the catchy songs, comic chaos and larger-than-life characters, however, lies something far darker – a cautionary tale about ambition, temptation and the dangerous cost of chasing dreams at any price. Added to this, underlying themes of domestic abuse and substance misuse and the show has surprising emotional depths.
Directed with flair and energy by Brodey Laudon, the production balanced humour and darkness beautifully. Visually, it was striking throughout, with a blazing palette of greens and carnivorous reds that perfectly captured the show’s creeping menace. The costumes and florist-shop set were excellent, helping to create a vivid world bursting with personality.
Musically, the show was outstanding. Under the direction of James Wenham, the live band delivered a rich and vibrant score packed with Motown, doo-wop and rock and roll influences. Every number had energy and polish, creating a joyous soundtrack that had the audience tapping along from beginning to end.
The chorus work was particularly strong, with Caitlin Smith as Crystal, Freya Woodward as Ronnette and Natasha Wood as Chiffon providing sensational vocals and endless charisma. Acting as both narrators and commentators on the unfolding chaos, the trio brought tremendous style, humour and polish to every scene they appeared in. The ‘leafy plant’ dresses are worthy of particular note!
At the heart of the production were two excellent central performances from Ben Fitzpatrick as Seymour and Chloe Reid as Audrey. Ben perfectly captured Seymour’s obsequious insecurities and moral conflict, while Reid brought warmth, compassion and humour to Audrey, making her far more than the stereotypical bombshell she first appears to be. Their duets, particularly Call Back in the Morning and Suddenly Seymour, were beautifully performed and among the evening’s standout moments.
There were also memorable supporting performances from Stephen Mark as the financially troubled Mr Mushnik and Kevin Murray as the sadistic dentist Orin, whose scenes were loaded with outrageous comic energy.
But the undisputed star of the show was Audrey II. The monstrous plant was a jaw-dropping creation that grew not only in size but seemingly in personality and menace as the story unfolded. Credit must go to the Society’s in-house creative team whose craftsmanship, ingenuity and sheer imagination brought the plant thrillingly to life. No spoilers for those yet to see the show, but audiences should prepare to be amazed by its extraordinary transformation. The puppetry from Steph Williamson and Cameron Wallace was outstanding, while Scott Edwards delivered an astonishing vocal performance as the voice of Audrey II. His booming rendition of Feed Me, performed alongside Seymour, was one of the highlights of the entire production.
Richmond Operatic Society have done this iconic musical proud. Stylish, funny, inventive and packed with terrific performances, Little Shop of Horrors is a hugely enjoyable evening of theatre that leaves audiences ‘rocking’ long after the final curtain. The production runs until Saturday 23 May and tickets are thoroughly recommended.
