Who needs reviews when you can sell out your preview on a warm afternoon with people being turned away? This company of young people returns to the fringe with a tried and tested musical that has become popular with youth musical theatre groups across both sides of the Atlantic.
For the uninitiated, this is no horror show and the plot is based on the acquisition of a blood seeking plant by the young and shy dogsbody in a shop located on skid row in New York. The strange plant becomes a talking point and helps turn the fortunes of Mushnik's florists until the plant starts to demand several pounds of flesh to help it grow and grow. The sadistic dentist is followed by the shopkeeper until Seymour loses someone even more important to him.
This is a very competent production and at all times you feel that you are in safe hands--the acting is good, the three principals Seymour, Mushnik, and Audrey develop and hold their characters throughout the show. Callum Bicknell was totally convincing as Seymour and drew the audience's sympathy while Stella Mertz as Audrey holds the peculiar accent like a professional.
The music was very good, the balance with the younger voices helped those without microphones to get through to the back of the theatre. Apart from one late arrival, I think it was a "plant," this production went like clockwork. The singers had strong voices individually but now that they know they can do this show very competently, they should enjoy themselves and let it rip on the chorus work.
Times: August 5-9, 14:45