Little Shop of Horrors at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester

5/5

It’s that time of year again, when Manchester’s traditional German market gives way to a complete colony of European market stalls.

The potent aroma of roast hog and hot gluhwein wafts over the city and the somewhat ponderous and rather sinister Father Christmas is back guarding the town hall entrance.

Where would we be without such tradition? One thing’s for sure, tradition means that the Royal Exchange will deliver something very different for the Christmas season. This year it’s the very unseasonal but riotous musical Little Shop of Horrors that is wowing audiences.

Made famous by Roger Corman’s cult B-movie of the 1960s, director Derek Bond and a splendid cast deliver 90 minutes of musical delight and utter mayhem in a production well served by Howard Ashman’s book and lyrics and Alan Menken’s music.

The show’s darkish premise centres on a run-down florists on Skid Row which is about to close when nerdy shop assistant Seymour Krelborn, who has an unhealthy interest in exotic plants, displays his new “creation” in an attempt to revive the shop’s fortunes. It works because as the strange plant grows, so too does the shop’s fame and success. But Seymour has a dark secret and his new plant has an insatiable appetite.

Set designer James Perkins has created the perfect stage to allow the action and the plant to grow. It all works wonderfully as a musical and that’s mainly down to Menken’s music, Ashman’s clever and very funny lyrics and a live band.

Bond has found a hugely talented cast who not only act but can deliver a song with great aplomb. Gunnar Cauthery is great as the awkward Seymour who begins to blossom as his rather sickly plant starts to develop into a monstrous triffid.

There is a fine performance from Kelly Price as Audrey, Seymour’s co-worker, while Ako Mitchell gives an eye-wateringly funny performance as her cruel dentist boyfriend Orin Scrivello.

Three great singers, Ellena Vincent (Crystal), Ibinabo Jack (Chiffon) and Joelle Moses (Ronnette), excel as the narrators and add a real sense of Motown charm to the show.

But it is all about the plant. Toby Olie’s puppet design is fabulous and Nuno Silva is outstanding as the puppet controller. Ably supported by James Charlton and CJ Johnson, the monster comes alive.

Highly recommended.

Runs until January 31, box office: royalexchange.co.uk.