REVIEW
Little Shop Of Horrors
Summer Youth Project
Palace Theatre, Southend-on-Sea
THURSDAY 9th - SUNDAY 12th AUGUST 2018
Little Shop Of Horrors
Summer Youth Project
Palace Theatre, Southend-on-Sea
THURSDAY 9th - SUNDAY 12th AUGUST 2018
There is always a sense of nervous anticipation for the first night of any show and the Summer Youth Project's production of Little Shop of Horrors on Thursday night was no exception. With an almost full house and VIP guests amongst the audience members, tension was, I suspect, quite high although, I would hazard a guess this more from the creative team who put the show together, rather than the large cast of 9 to 19 year old children and young adults who perform on the Palace Theatre stage. However, there were no sign of nerves in any of the cast performances from the get go on opening night.
From the opening Prologue number, Little Shop of Horrors, the energy from the cast was simply contagious, with some great vocals and lots of super-slick choreography involving all members of the ensemble. This energy was kept fully pumped throughout with a cast led by some excellent performances from its principles.
Set in the 1960s, Little Shop of Horrors is a charmingly tongue-in-cheek black comedy set in the florist shop belonging to Mr Mushnik. Hapless florist shop worker, Seymour, raises a plant that he has found which feeds on human blood. He names the plant Audrey II after his co-worker Audrey, a pretty blonde with a fashion sense that leans a tad towards the tacky, but who Seymour would love to go out with. Audrey, however, is stuck in a bad relationship with sadistic dentist, Orin Scrivello, who delights in bringing pain to not only his patients but to Audrey too.
Michael Bowyer plays a superb Seymour - awkward, yet caring - and handles the part brilliantly in, what I believe is, his first leading role. Thomas Stansfield also does a good job as Mr Mushnik, playing and looking just as one would expect a more mature shop-keeper to be and Mushnik & Son proves to be a great little number for him and Seymour.
Tom Johnson as the sadistically crazed dentist, Orin, grinds onto the stage half way through the first Act and completely owns the part. He gives absolutely everything to his portrayal of the completely bonkers Orin, especially in It's Just the Gas which has the audience in stitches.
Giving a star turn in what will be her last performance with the Summer Youth Project is Mille-Mae Cage who completely embodies the role of Audrey. She has great stage presence, together with knock out vocals which sound fabulous in Somewhere That's Green and of course, Suddenly Seymour. She gives Audrey a sweet, loveable vulnerability and makes her just ditzy enough to endear rather than irritate.
Every member of the ensemble gives a great performance - whether big or small - with each person having their own character and maintaining that character on stage. Josh Jennings as the wino gives a perfect example. I also liked the sassy Street Urchins, Lucy Agguini, Mia Cater and Lucy Taylor giving some great chutzpah.
All the costumes in this production look great and are perfect for the period. Keeping a consistently good look and sound are Constance Hastie, Ella Nevill and Pepper Vaughn-White as The Ronnettes, not only looking great in their sparkly dresses but also showing off their vocals with some lovely harmonies.
Audrey II looks amazing and credit must go to puppeteer, Joe Peek, who does a great job of bring the alien plant to life and also to Liam Baker who provides the "feed me now" voice of Audrey, I presume from a darkened room somewhere behind the stage.
Director, Marc Mollica, has once again done a smashing job this year with this production aided by Max Longmuir and choreographers, Vikki Bussell and Douglas Yolland who must be super proud of what they have all achieved with this huge cast. MD, Paul Day, has also clearly worked well with producing some lovely vocals from the cast who are a credit to his efforts.
A nod also to those who are involved within the technical side of the show, something that often can become over-looked, especially when a show runs well and without any technical hitches. Credit to all the Stage Management, Props, Lighting and sound who are integral in giving the show its flow.
In fact, it's only when you stop and realise that, unlike a lot of amateur companies who have months and months to rehearse, the Summer Youth Project have had just 2 weeks! The amount that has been achieved by them, and in such a professional way, is simply outstanding.
Little Shop of Horrors is an iconic and quirky musical with an electrifying 1960s pop/rock score, making it one of the most popular shows in the world. Whether you know anyone in the cast, if you're a fan of the film or the show or you just want a fun night out, get yourself to the Palace Theatre this week, I promise, you won't be disappointed.
From the opening Prologue number, Little Shop of Horrors, the energy from the cast was simply contagious, with some great vocals and lots of super-slick choreography involving all members of the ensemble. This energy was kept fully pumped throughout with a cast led by some excellent performances from its principles.
Set in the 1960s, Little Shop of Horrors is a charmingly tongue-in-cheek black comedy set in the florist shop belonging to Mr Mushnik. Hapless florist shop worker, Seymour, raises a plant that he has found which feeds on human blood. He names the plant Audrey II after his co-worker Audrey, a pretty blonde with a fashion sense that leans a tad towards the tacky, but who Seymour would love to go out with. Audrey, however, is stuck in a bad relationship with sadistic dentist, Orin Scrivello, who delights in bringing pain to not only his patients but to Audrey too.
Michael Bowyer plays a superb Seymour - awkward, yet caring - and handles the part brilliantly in, what I believe is, his first leading role. Thomas Stansfield also does a good job as Mr Mushnik, playing and looking just as one would expect a more mature shop-keeper to be and Mushnik & Son proves to be a great little number for him and Seymour.
Tom Johnson as the sadistically crazed dentist, Orin, grinds onto the stage half way through the first Act and completely owns the part. He gives absolutely everything to his portrayal of the completely bonkers Orin, especially in It's Just the Gas which has the audience in stitches.
Giving a star turn in what will be her last performance with the Summer Youth Project is Mille-Mae Cage who completely embodies the role of Audrey. She has great stage presence, together with knock out vocals which sound fabulous in Somewhere That's Green and of course, Suddenly Seymour. She gives Audrey a sweet, loveable vulnerability and makes her just ditzy enough to endear rather than irritate.
Every member of the ensemble gives a great performance - whether big or small - with each person having their own character and maintaining that character on stage. Josh Jennings as the wino gives a perfect example. I also liked the sassy Street Urchins, Lucy Agguini, Mia Cater and Lucy Taylor giving some great chutzpah.
All the costumes in this production look great and are perfect for the period. Keeping a consistently good look and sound are Constance Hastie, Ella Nevill and Pepper Vaughn-White as The Ronnettes, not only looking great in their sparkly dresses but also showing off their vocals with some lovely harmonies.
Audrey II looks amazing and credit must go to puppeteer, Joe Peek, who does a great job of bring the alien plant to life and also to Liam Baker who provides the "feed me now" voice of Audrey, I presume from a darkened room somewhere behind the stage.
Director, Marc Mollica, has once again done a smashing job this year with this production aided by Max Longmuir and choreographers, Vikki Bussell and Douglas Yolland who must be super proud of what they have all achieved with this huge cast. MD, Paul Day, has also clearly worked well with producing some lovely vocals from the cast who are a credit to his efforts.
A nod also to those who are involved within the technical side of the show, something that often can become over-looked, especially when a show runs well and without any technical hitches. Credit to all the Stage Management, Props, Lighting and sound who are integral in giving the show its flow.
In fact, it's only when you stop and realise that, unlike a lot of amateur companies who have months and months to rehearse, the Summer Youth Project have had just 2 weeks! The amount that has been achieved by them, and in such a professional way, is simply outstanding.
Little Shop of Horrors is an iconic and quirky musical with an electrifying 1960s pop/rock score, making it one of the most popular shows in the world. Whether you know anyone in the cast, if you're a fan of the film or the show or you just want a fun night out, get yourself to the Palace Theatre this week, I promise, you won't be disappointed.
Below: the cast in rehearsal for the show
Tickets: £15.00, £14.00
Concessions: £13.50, £12.50
Prices shown are inclusive of any applicable booking fees. Groups of 10+ please call 01702 351135 to buy fee-free.
For tickets go online to: https://southendtheatres.org.uk/Online/tickets-little-shop-of-horrors-southend-2018
Concessions: £13.50, £12.50
Prices shown are inclusive of any applicable booking fees. Groups of 10+ please call 01702 351135 to buy fee-free.
For tickets go online to: https://southendtheatres.org.uk/Online/tickets-little-shop-of-horrors-southend-2018