Little Shop of Horrors
✭✭✭✭✭ Fabulous
Young critics scheme review
Paradise in Augustines (Venue 152): Mon 17 – Sun 30 Aug 2015
Fast-paced, funny and moving, the Edinburgh University Savoy Opera Group brings to life Howard Ashman and Alan Menken’s cult classic Little Shop of Horrors.
Set in Mushnik’s Flower Shop on Skid Row, young Seymour (Greg Williamson), a budding botanist, cultivates a new breed of flytrap, Audrey II (Finlay McAfee) with the hope that it brings him closer to his fellow shop assistant Audrey (Alice Anning).
Little Shop of Horrors. Photo: Mihaela Bodlovic
The street urchins Ronette, Chiffon and Crystal (Lydia Carrington, Sarah Couper and Giselle Yonance) open the show excellently with Little Shop of Horrors and feature heavily in every musical number thereafter. During their scenes they react well – often with sassy facial expressions. Their singing and accents are outstanding.
Set designer Lucas Show has created a simple yet practical set of which director Rae Glasman makes great use. The physical theatre of the full-grown plant is mesmerising. It incorporates the 5 bodies of the chorus and grows with each victim – every actor mimicking the feelings of the plant through their bodies as one. However, Finlay McAfee as Audrey II should have a mic as he is often drowned out by the band.
emotional and entertaining
To begin with Douglas Clark as Mushnik feels quite fake but as the play progresses so does his performance. He becomes more believably emotional and entertaining during his song with Seymour Mushnik and Son where his physicality as an elderly gentleman also improves.
Audrey II is getting quite big now… Photo Mihaela Bodlovic
Williamson as Seymour portrays his awkward character and engages well. The scene where he, purposefully, uncoordinatedly dances with the street urchins is hilarious. His voice isn’t great with his accent but as he loses it slightly the singing improves considerably.
A sweet performance is given by Alice Anning as Audrey – her physicality and voice display her vulnerability. Between Audrey and Seymour there is interestingly, awkward chemistry that grows into a more emotional and moving relationship.
Fabulous songs, dancing and acting, this production is an excellent homage to the original musical and provides an enjoyable experience.
Running time: 1 hour 30 mins
Paradise in Augustines (Venue 152): 41 George IV Bridge, EH1 1EL
Monday 17 – Sunday 30 August 2015
Daily, not Sun: 9.15pm.
Book tickets on the EdFringe website: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/little-shop-of-horrors
ENDS
