IT is always difficult to set the right tone when black comedy is the order of the day, but Blueshed and KD Theatre Productions managed more than this.
Review Little Shop of Horrors at Soham Village College
By Rosemary Westwell
IT is always difficult to set the right tone when black comedy is the
order of the day, but Blueshed and KD Theatre Productions managed more
than this.
The tale of the man-eating plant unravelled delightfully as songs
reminiscent of the golden sixties added a schmaltzy nostalgic touch. The
young lovers, the abusive brute, the mean shop owner and the crooning
girls all brought the plot alive and gory details became tolerable as
the over-the-top situations entertained a packed and appreciative
audience.
Daniel Bell was a highly credible gangly shop assistant brought to fame
by the growth of this unqiue blood thirsty plant. Ruth Masterton, Lucy
Bell and co-producer Katherine Hickmott gelled in perfect 3-part
harmony, far better than many of our modern girl-power groups. Oliver
Ellerton gave maturity to the role of Mushnick, the mean shopkeeper. He
was also the unforgettable voice of the ghastly plant: Audrey 11. The
words “Feed me” still send shivers up the spine. Liam Walls made the
plant more believable with his manipulations of its blood red jaws.
Audrey, played by Harriet Duthie, was every bit the young, victimized
beauty with Marilyn Munroe-like innocence and the dastardly villain of
the show, Orin, the drill-waving brute of a dentist, was made uglier by
the aggressive narcissism portrayed by Sean Abbs.
The music rocked with the vibrant sounds of Skid Row Musicians:
Keyboards: Melody Bell and Patricia Skinner, guitar: Chris Bradbury,
percussion: Nick Thompson and saxophone: Mark Bell.
Fitting choreography, costumes, scenery and technical support all
helped to make this production great. It will no doubt be a highly
successful addition to the Edinburgh Fringe when the company
participates there later in August.
Their next production will be well worth attending Mother Goose on
December 2 and 4.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here