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.