Book & Lyrics: Howard Ashman
Music: Alan Menkin
Director: Lotte Wakeman
Alan Menkin and Howard Ashman’s cult classic musical based on the 1960s B-Movie of the same title is given the actor-musician treatment in this fun-filled co-production between Bolton’s Octagon Theatre, Hull Truck, Ipswich’s New Wolsey and Theatre by the Lake.
Bolton’s Artistic Director Lotte Wakeman helms this touring revival which doesn’t rock the boat too much and generally plays safe throughout its two-hour run time. What this production does well is the chemistry between the cast, energetic and strong performances throughout – Oliver Mawdsley is your a-typical Seymour, there is nothing original in his portrayal that we haven’t seen before, but when paired alongside a refreshingly non-squeeky portrayal of Audrey by Laura Jane Matthewson that the sparks really start to fly – both giving excellent renditions of Somewhere That’s Green and Suddenly Seymour.
As the tantalising skid-row trio The Ronettes, Zweyla Mitchell Dos Santos, Janna May and Chardai Shaw give us plenty of sass throughout, it’s a shame that occasionally their energy is dampened by having to perform with their instruments.
Strong vocal performance is given Anton Stephens as the voice of Audrey II (he also gets a few on-stage cameos too) his voice as smooth as chocolate and as rich as a full-bodied merlot. The puppet is also controlled with skill by Matthew Heywood, who spends the vast majority of his time on-stage covered up in the body of a plant. And it’s the design of the plant by Michael Fowkes which for this reviewer is arguably the show’s weakest element, it lacks originality and its overall design doesn’t feel part of the same gritty multi-levelled production design that we are given by TK Hay.
Andrew Whitehead gives a bombastic performance as hard-on-his-luck florist Mr Mushnik, but the production is stolen by the many guises of Matthew Ganley. The first act as the sadistic dentist Orin and then a hilarious set of media mogulas in the second. Ganley’s performance feels like he has been given plenty of freedom on stage and this playful nature really makes his performance shine.
Little Shop wouldn’t be the production it is, without the brilliant writing of Ashman and Menkin, their songs still feel as fun and as fresh as ever, and while there may be a few moments where this current production doesn’t quite hit the mark, the energy and talent of those involved certainly makes this a highly enjoyable trip to the theatre.
Runs until 18 May 2024
