Little (But Lavish) Shop of Horrors Feel Suddenly Relevant
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Last Updated 13 August 2018
The story of Audrey II, the insatiable man-eating plant intent on world domination in rock musical Little Shop of Horrors, feels suddenly relevant. “This is the end” announces the graffiti scrawled on Tom Scutt’s dynamic set in this production of Alan Menken’s 1982 parable on fame and fortune. From the outset, this show is in your face.
Marc Antolin is infinitely endearing as Seymour, the nerdy florist who enters into a Faustian pact with the mysterious plant. Jemima Rooper plays the object of his affections, Audrey. Her tender rendition of Somewhere That’s Green, as she dreams of escaping poverty, is as good as it gets — as is the famous act two love-duet, Suddenly Seymour.
As Audrey II, American drag queen Vicky Vox mesmerises with her magnificent corpulence, rich seductive voice, and withering glare. Rarely has the plant’s infamous demand of “Feed me!” been invested with such lasciviousness. Former Busted singer Matt Willis, meanwhile, is a comic revelation as Audrey’s sadistic, gloriously camp, leather-clad dentist boyfriend.
If Maria Aberg’s fast-paced, glitzy revival at times sacrifices the story’s dark overtones for outrageousness, this fresh, bold reinterpretation of a cult classic still grips like the most rampant Venus flytrap.
Little Shop of Horrors, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, Inner Circle, Regent’s Park, NW1 4NU. Tickets £12.50 - £62.50. Until 22 September 2018.
