The Kings Theatre Portsmouth – until 1st July 2023
Reviewed by Emma Barnes
5*****
This production has its roots in The 1960 Little Shop of Horrors cult classic American B movie directed by Roger Corman. The stage version is wacky and hilarious albeit a bit creepy and macabre. Skid Row natives Seymour (Charlie Frame) and Audrey (Georgia Deloise) lead hapless lives as assistants in a flower shop. Dorky Seymour discovers a succulent which thrives on human blood. The only way for him to impress his secret work crush Audrey is to nurture his bloodthirsty creation. The result is the rollercoaster of clever juxtaposition between gruesome murder and genuine heartfelt romance.
The small cast delivered unwaveringly top quality vocals throughout, but the moment that truly showcased the talents of Charlie Frame and Georgia Deloise was the soaring duet Suddenly Seymour. A moment eliciting real goosebumps when the two unlikely heroes finally find love.
Tom Wood is captivating as sadistic dentist Orin Scrivello who loves to deliver pain.
It is however the strange and unusual plant, Audrey II that’s the real scene stealer. Stuart Warner provided killer vocals, and it was given real character by puppeteers Taylor Walter-Field and Euan Millar. The relationship between the voice and the puppet was seamless, with excellent comedy timing that really brought the alien plant to life.
The final scenes are delightfully cringeful as the show comes to a dramatic conclusion when Audry finally finds her green place inside the vicious vegetation. We were not sure whether to be happy or sad about the irony of this, but it was thoroughly entertaining.
This is local theatre at its best, another amateur production from The Kings delivering first class entertainment.
This mean green mother from outer space is bringing camp spoof, horror and fantastical comic book creepiness to the Kings Theatre until Saturday 1st July. Catch it before it catches you!