Sheffield Crucible – until Saturday 18 January 2025
5*****
We are going downtown to Skid Row, this Christmas at Sheffield Crucible. To the home of Mushnik’s Flower shop. Business is bad and Mr Mushnik is considering closing up, leaving staff members Audrey jobless and Seymour both homeless and jobless. Audrey is in a relationship with Dentist Orin, who likes to inflict pain and Seymour is in love with Audrey. But it all changes when Seymour finds an interesting plant which he names Audrey II.
This Sheffield Theatre Production version is wonderful, being played in the round.
Sam Buttery is a Diva of the highest order as AudreyII the blood sucking, man eating plant. With Colin Ryan’s Seymour being lovably nerdy, and incredibly brave. Georgina Onuorah shines as Audrey, bringing the house down with “Somewhere That’s Green” and “Suddenly Seymour”. Wilf Scolding is utterly mad as the semi-sadist Dentist, Orin.
Mr Mushnik (Michael Matus), hams up his greedy shopkeeper, surrounded by singers Crystal (Charlotte Jaconelli), Chiffon (Paige Fenlon) and Ronette (Lizzy Rose Ein Kelly) who help to move the plot along. But all the ensemble bring life to this Little Shop
Special mention must go to choreographer Jade Hackett, not just for the dancing but for the fluid of the movements of the plant. And Daisy Beattie and Seb Mayer for the amazing puppet design and direction. With Amy Hodge’s assured direction, Chris Poon’s musical direction (and the stunning live band), and Georgia Lowe’s design, this is a stunning staging of Little Shop of Horrors.
I hope there can be more life in this production, maybe a tour or a London residency because this Little Shop deserves a huge future