| Little Shop of Horrors | New Theatre |
| Written by Augusta Supple |
| Thursday, 27 November 2008 11:12 |
 Photos - Bob SearyLittle Shop of Horrors by composer Alan Menken and writer Howard Ashman, is a standard favourite among botanists and theatre practitioners alike, offering a good dose of black comedy, toe tapping tunes and a hearty dose of moral excavation. Nurtured in the strong and skilled hands (and feet) of Stephen Colyer this beautifully presented cult classic of musical theatre has it all: song, dance, an astounding array of talent and even a bloody thirsty plant! Mr Mushniks’ business on Skid row is in trouble, until one day Seymour Krelborn convinces him to put his newly acquired “strange and interesting plant” front and centre in the shop window. And with this genius stroke of strategic marketing: the lives of these florists change forever. Don’t be fooled by it’s catchy 1950’s doo-wop, shoo-wah songs and cheesy homage to B-grade horror films, there is a more significant message afoot. Built on the tradition of Faust, Little Shop of Horrors is a well trodden story which whispers “careful what you wish for” and warns us to be wary of that which will provide us what we wish for: for although that wish may come true - it always has its price. A recurring theme it seems coming from the lyricist/producer and composer who wrote the score Walt Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Colyer’s production is smart, funny and with some beautifully succinct choreography complemented by fantastic design elements (which easily solves some of this production’s trickier staging requirements.) Rita Carmody’s costume and set design is both appropriate for time and place. A simple checkerboard set design, complete with calico curtain, facilitates set/prop transformations in a clean and fluid manner. Performances by the whole cast are impressive and engaging all round: Andrew Threfall is perfectly nerdy as Seymour offering a lot in the way of sympathy in the role of unlikely hero and Sophie Webb is completely, delightfully, heartbreakingly loveable as the long suffering Audrey. Stephen Anderson is terrifying and yet surprisingly magnetic as bad-boy dentist Orin, and does a magnificent job shape shifting between roles within the last few numbers of ACT 2.Tony Taylor plays a sturdy and miserly Mr Mushnik, while Crystal (Brionny Fagan) Chiffon (Ellissa Fry) and Ronnette (Vanessa Raspa) are equally powerful yet different as the narrators/back up singers - impressively belting out some of the well known tunes. Sam Haft is strangely convincing as the voice of Audrey II… and is well partnered with puppeteer Jeremy Rosentrauss. In a twist of contemporary kitsch (and perhaps homage to B-grade Television), having shed the shackles of Big Brother, Gretel Killeen features as The Voice of God. Particular moments of astounding heartfelt conviction arise throughout Colyer’s production of Little Shop of Horrors, including Audrey’s day-dreaming solo “Somewhere That’s Green” and Audrey and Seymour’s tender duet “Suddenly Seymour.” This is testament not only to the performers Sophie Webb and Andrew Thelfall, but to the talents of Mark Chamberlain who should be congratulated for his tight and impressive musical direction of this show with a small but effective band of musicians. This ambitious show is both beautifully executed and filled with some amazing rising talent, and Colyer is to be commended for this funny and tender production which shows the danger of good intentions especially when it comes to love and botany. new theatre presents LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Venue: new theatre | 542 King Street Newtown NSW Dates: Nov 12 - Dec 13 2008 Times: Thursday – Saturday @ 8pm, Sunday @ 5pm Tickets: $30 / $25 conc / $22 groups (10+) Bookings: 1300 306 776 / www.mca-tix.com.au
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Comments (3)Subscribe to this comment's feed...
I've heard it's not bad. BUT am put off that the very positive, in fact, very gushy review is provided by one of the NEW Theatre's inner circle and artistic directors. Any credibility is dead if companies can rave about their own productions. All really self indulgent.
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November 29, 2008
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Thanks Jane for your comment.
I wanted to clarify a few points for you. I am a freelance director and I have worked in several theatres in Sydney and in various capacities since 2001. I have reviewed shows at theatres besides New Theatre, in which I have worked such as Belvoir, Darlinghurst, PACT, Newtown Theatre, Seymour Centre, Zenith Theatre, New Theatre and the Tap Gallery. But for your reference, I am not staff of the new theatre, nor am I a committee/board member, a staff member, nor a financial member and I am not the (or even "an") artistic Director of the new. I did however, recently curate a season of new short plays at the new theatre, a season very similar to one I produced at PACT theatre last year, but I hold no "inner circle" position as you suggest. I believe in peer review as a valid means of criticism: just as an academic, an historian or journalist offer valid contributions to the wider theatre landscape and although I can understand your misconception, I assure you that my "gush" is purely based on the work of Stephen Colyer, which I have previously reviewed and enjoyed (eg "Hello Again"). As a freelance director/writer/reviewer I represent myself and my own opinions and assessments, not that of any particular theatre venue nor production company.
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December 03, 2008
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Haven't seen the show, so I can't comment there, but just wanted to say I agree with Jane in that it's important that reviewers are honest in their opinions whether favourable or critical. We need to be honest, and the value of any theatre reviewing forum hangs on that.
But I also want to say hear hear Augusta, I know you've worked at a range of theatres and act with integrity in your theatre work, and your reviewing. If you wrote that you really liked the show, then you really liked the show.
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December 06, 2008
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