Don’t Feed the Plants – Little Shop of Horrors

Overall I preferred this production to the Broadway one in 2003, mostly because this one just felt smaller and more intimate, and more how this show is meant to be! The Ambassadors Theatre is a fairly small space, and we were in about the 6th row. The sets were low-tech without feeling amateurish, and the plant was very impressive. There wasn’t any flying out over the audience at the end or anything, but the construction, puppeteering and voice for Audrey II were all really well done.

The cast was also very good, especially Paul Keating as Seymour and Sheridan Smith as Audrey. Sheridan was a bit less ditzy than others I’ve seen, but had a real vulnerability that made you feel for the character. She actually really cried during “Somewhere That’s Green”! And Paul Keating had this way of leaping about the stage that was just fantastic. 🙂 They also had wonderful chemistry together. It’s great to see how different actors can bring new characteristic and nuances to these characters.

The rest of the cast were all enjoyable as well, in particular Alistair McGowan as Orin. Katie Kerr was at times a bit too in-your-face as Chiffon, taking attention away from the other two girls, and Barry James a bit difficult to understand in places as Mr. Mushnik.
Still, the show felt fresh and fun, and was a great evening out.