Stage Review LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
- debra Hall
- Jun 6
- 3 min read
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Little Shop of Horrors
Book Writer and lyrics Howard Ashman
Music scores and songs Alan Menken
Director Sarah Brigham
Orchestrator and Musical Supervisor Matthew Malone
Overview
It looks like the future is bleak for Mr Mushnik and his flagging little flower shop in impoverished Skid Row. Business picks up however, after nerdy employee, Seymour introduces a weird looking, exotic plant; one that he has been secretly nurturing using an unorthodox method to feed it.
Seymour names the plant too, after Audrey, his co-worker; his love for her - unrequited. A gentle soul, Audrey is caught in a poverty trap and who puts up with abuse from biker boy and dentist boyfriend; the narcisstic and unpleasant Orin.
Audrey II is growing pretty fast and so 'she' is set in the shop window as a curiosity. The shy and insecure, Seymour (being the owner of Audrey II) suddenly finds he is gaining interest from the press and media sources. This is impressing, Audrey who is beginning to see Seymour as potentially more than just a friend.
Seymour realises he is servient to Audrey II and wants to destroy her, while on the other hand he knows that the fame she has brought him and the money offers received, could well lead to a better life for him and Audrey in the future. With some determination, Seymour decides to pay a visit to Orin at his dental practise to address his appalling treatment of Audrey - there, a twist of fate occurs.
From there-on in, the well-intentioned Seymour is forced to make some morally corrupt choices and because of Audrey II he gets deeper and deeper in trouble and at terrible cost.
Comment
The first Friday in June and Derby Theatre was at full capacity for its June 5th, 7.30pm performance of Little Shop of Horrors.
Little Shop [...] is dark comedy and is tongue in cheek, cheeky. A rock/pop/R&B musical with a fabulous set of Ashman and Menken songs that are plain outrageous, with lyrics that play on words and tunes that are belters!
Actor, David Rankine as Orin the Dentist and as an ensemble member in this show, is so animated with his comedy, revealing that his abilities as a stage performer are multifaceted. Reviewer heartened to see that Rankine is clearly able to adapt his movement and fulfil his characterisation(s) at the click of a finger - his performance is set to entertain. Know too, that Kristian Cunningham is perfectly cast as Seymour.
Tasha Dowd (the voice of Audrey II) is a contribution that breathes life into the puppet and And Woo! Can she sing! Other players give impressive singing solos too and some nice harmonies achieved from those possessing a full range of pitching abilities. The performing trio: Ronnette (Emmanuella Chede); Crystal (Shekinah Mcfarlane) and Chiffon (Chioma Uma) have a strong presence throughout, often raising the noise levels in song numbers that sets the mood and provide the links that pace scenes in and out.
The stage and costumes are shades of bright greens, contrasting with pink and everything sparkles making the dullness of the Seymour character in his tank top, plain shirt and trousers and heavy rimmed specs stand out. Audrey II, as she evolves, involves puppetry skills and mechanised handling that skillfully delivers.
The winning formula about this production is that it is largely an actor/musician show, with a good few cast members assigned to named roles also taking turns in the wings to play musical instruments and so contribute in that form as well.
A Derby Theatre / Northern Stage production - brilliant!
Stage Review LITTLE SHOP of HORRORS by Theatre Critic, Debra Hall who attended Derby Theatre on Friday 5th June, 2026 at 7.30pm
References
Derby Theatre Derby Theatre - new brochure and the season ahead 17 Dec.2025
Derby Theatre Little Shop of Horrors Printed Programme
Derby Theatre https://derbytheatre.co.uk/event/little-shop-of-horrors/
Hall, D. Stage Review The Great Gatsby https://www.debrahallcreative.com/post/stage-review-the-great-gatsby-at-derby-theatre
AZ2B Theatre John Barber Actor/Puppet Designer http://www.az2btheatre.com/team/john-barber/
Collective Agents Arranger, Orchestrator & Musical Director Dr. Matthew Malone https://www.collectiveagents.co.uk/creatives/dr-matthew-malone
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