Little Shop of Horrors
Jacqueline Brunton in Little Shop of Horrors. Image uncredited. **** Despite global popularity, the musical is an underdeveloped genre in Ireland. Understandable as there's huge financial risk involved. Especially when works of scale have to compete with West End touring companies and there’s no way to guarantee a sure fire hit. Which is why Bord Gáis Energy Theatre are to be applauded for producing their first in-house production. The 1982 cult classic Little Shop of Horrors with book and lyrics by Howard Ashman and music by Alan Menken. A production full of wild, relentless energy, lots of homegrown talent, and one or two teething pains. David O'Reilly in Little Shop of Horrors. Image uncredited. Inspired by a 1960’s B-movie staring Jack Nicholson, and immortalised by the 1986 musical film staring Rick Moranis, Little Shop of Horrors sees Day of the Triffids meet the retro charms of Grease . A sci-fi horror about a cannibal, bloodsucking Venus fly trap set against a 50’s styled soundtrack. The musical theatre equivalent of Psychobilly, we follow lovelorn geek Seymour as he pines for ditzy blonde Audrey, both working in Mr Mushnik's failing florist shop on Skid Row. Until Seymour discovers a curious plant that attracts public attention. Only to discover it can talk and needs blood to live. Discovering also Audrey’s motorcycle dentist and abusive boyfriend, Orin, a sudden propulsion into the limelight, and an unexpected desire for world domination. Johnny Ward and James Deegan in Little Shop of Horrors. Image uncredited. A veteran director of Christmas pantomimes, director Claire Tighe leans into her comfort zone with a chaotically furious, pantomime energy. Yet pace is often sacrificed to haste, which, along with microphone issues makes several lines heard to hear. A situation compounded by singers often struggling to compete with overpowering music, the score used here from the movie musical. Precious Abimbola, Aoife Dunne and Ghaliah Conroy as a three urchins girl group sing harmonies strongest when not competing with the orchestra. Similarly David O'Reilly's delightful Seymour. If O'Reilly's timbre and tone prove exquisite in softer ballads, he lacks power higher up the scale. That skill belonging to Jacqueline Brunton whose "Nu Yak" Audrey is the unquestioned vocal star of the show, impeccably riding the scales during her duet of Suddenly Seymour with the sensitive O’Reilly. Garry Mountaine as Mr Mushnik also having a moment of power. Johnny Ward as dentist Orin channels his inner Elvis whilst impersonating the Fonz to comic effect, even as he lacks the prerequisite menace. But Kenneth O'Regan's bass toned Audrey II resolves the situation in no time. John Gallagher’s lighting, Maree Kearn’s street life set, Kevin Hynes costumes and Chris Corroon’s puppetry rounding out a thoroughly impressive visual spectacle. Jacqueline Brunton in Little Shop of Horrors. Image uncredited. Opening night audiences are notoriously filled with family, friends, invited guests and well wishers cheerleading the show to be a screaming success. You can usually tell; they're the ones laughing and cheering when no one else is. They also tend to be quite forgiving. While there are certainly teething pains, Little Shop of Horrors has few enough sins that need forgiving. When it gets it right it gets it brilliantly right. The only way homegrown talent grows is in learning by doing. With Little Shop of Horrors Bord Gáis Energy Theatre has given homegrown talents a rare opportunity, which they've grasped with both hands. Now that is something well worth cheering about. Little Shop of Horrors with book and lyrics by Howard Ashman and music by Alan Menken, presented by Bord Gáis Energy Theatre and Theatreworx Productions, runs at Bord Gáis Energy Theatre until August 9. For more information visit Bord Gáis Energy Theatre
