“Little Shop Of Horrors” by Musicality
Trent Building, Nottingham University

For the bums and misfits of Skid Row life is empty. But there’s a great, green hope on the horizon for Mushnik’s flower shop assistant Seymour Krelborn, in the form of a strange and interesting new plant species which shows massive potential.

Will Seymour’s growing fame win the heart of his co-worker, the sweet Audrey? Can they both break free and find happiness somewhere that’s green…? What has happened to Audrey’s sadistic dentist boyfriend and Mr Mushnik?

This is Musicality’s second show of the year and is a perfect example of what you can do without loads of scenery. Performed, almost in the round, and using all the available space within the room.

Directed by Rowena Fry and produced by Lucy Boardman, all strengths with the actors were well worked to, and this pacy musical was delivered with grow-bags of energy.

What also impressed me was the choreography of the mic passing. Performing with hand held mics is not the easiest, especially when there's singing and dancing, but this lot never missed a beat, and we caught every word.

James Thacker (Seymour) was really well cast as our shy hero, and with being so close to the action and the actors, you get the full power and tone of his voice, as well as his softer tones in songs like "Suddenly Seymour". I was also impressed with his speed in "Now (It's just the Gas)", the duet with Matt, which reminded me of the patter songs of Gilbert & Sullivan. I've seen James in several shows with Musicality, and this is his final show, but what a way to bow out

Elly Hassall (Audrey) also has a lovely voice with just enough vibrato in her songs. And it's nice to hear the role not, for once, performed in a higher-toned, dizzy blonde speaking voice. Her musical theatre experience really shines through in this role.

Tom Outhwaite (Mr Mushnik) gave us a really good Jewish accent, and he also gave us some lovely comic moments with his facial expressions. Among his highlights for me was his duet with James in "Mushnik and Son". This is also Tom's final show with Musicality,

Matt Talbot (Orin, the Dentist) epitomised everything I'd want from this role, loud, evil and slightly unhinged.

Lucy Avery (Audrey II) blew me away with that powerful voice of hers. I have also never seen a human as the plant, but adorned all in green, she made a refreshing change, especially with the Audrey II offshoots in Claire Wimbushand Hattie Rothwell-Inch providing the movement of the plant with some lovely choreographed pieces.

Carla Davison (Ronette), Millie MacLaurin (Chiffon) and Siska Yustina(Crystal) provided a lovely harmonious set of vocals and also helped to move the story on.

Also involved in the cast were Katie Monk, Maddy Telford and Andrew Whitaker in various roles throughout.

This one of the most fun musicals to watch, so I can only imagine that it's even more fun to perform. Looking at this cast, they certainly looked like they were having fun.

Musically Directed by Megan Smith, the five piece band created a more than adequate sound which was well balanced with the vocalists.

The soundtrack includes some well loved songs, "Somewhere That's Green", "Suddenly Seymour", "Dentist", "Skid Row/Downtown", "Call Back In The Morning" - which had echoes of "Christmas Bells" from "Rent" - and the finale of "Don't Feed The Plants" will all remain in your head, well after you've left the building.

The lighting, thanks to TEC PA and Lighting and Matthew Herbert and Annabel Jeffries worked well to separate the scenes with the full blackouts as well as creating that calming green glow for the shop and Audrey II.

I've already mentioned the choreography, so we need to give thanks to Sophie Mitchell who created an energetic set of dance routines within the limited space they had.

I've always found that Musicality always put 110% into everything,and the way that they all gel together make a tight performance for all that they perform. And who needs scenery when these actors paint the pictures and add the colour to any performing space, before your very eyes.

“Little Shop Of Horrors” is at the Performing Arts Studio, Trent Building at Nottingham University until Sunday 9 June 2019 with a 2.30 matinee as well.