Little Shop Of Horrors | Short Review

Every year, Sheffield Theatres hosts a musical at Christmas – and this year, it’s the turn of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken’s Little Shop of Horrors. After all, what could be more festive than a large, green, singing plant? The carnivorous Audrey II (Sam Buttery) is recreated here not as a large animatronic puppet, as in many versions, but as a hybrid of puppet and person. Buttery is the perfect diva for the role, captivating the audience just as much as Audrey II enthrals the residents of Skid Row.

The central romantic couple, nerdy Seymour (Colin Ryan) and his colleague Audrey (Georgina Onuorah), are extremely likeable, even when making ludicrous decisions. The whole production, directed by Amy Hodge, is a riotous spectacle, with spectacular singing, vivid neon lighting, and an enthusiastic cast whose energy never falters.

The pace is perhaps a little too frenetic at times, and there are some small anachronisms – it seems to be caught in a strange limbo between the UK and the USA, and between the present and the past – that feel a little distracting. The reference to intimate partner violence is mostly sensitively handled, though a few lines in the script still feel somewhat uncomfortable: an inevitable challenge when adapting older material.

However, these are minor quibbles in a camp, colourful revival that is full of humour and charm.

Little Shop of Horrors is booking at the Crucible, Sheffield, until 18 January 2025. For more information and tickets, visit sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

PRODUCTION CREDITS

Little Shop of Horrors by Howard Ashman (Book and lyrics) and Alan Menken (music)

Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, 12 December 2024

Cast Sam Buttery, Colin Ryan, Georgina Onuorah, Wilf Scolding, Michael Matus et al

Directed by Amy Hodge

You can read our full review in the February issue of Musicals magazine out 31 January – subscribe today!