Adapted from the B-movie classic from over 50 years ago, this production has been brought to the stage by an extremely talent cast led by director and producer Gareth Cole, a long time NK stalwart who is undertaking his first full length theatre show, ably assisted by musical director Scott Mitchell, who also lead the excellent live band, and Jenny Arundale as choreographer. The back stage people contributed well to the overall production and their input should not be underestimated. Again another superb programme (presumably by Dominic Stannage again) with brilliant photographs by Kyle Hassall.
The show is set in Mr Mushnik’s flower shop on Skid Row and explores the relationship between the staff of shy Seymour and quiet assuming Audrey. The fortunes of the shop take off when Seymour discovers a mysterious plant at a market which only starts to thrive when administered an unusual plant food! The plant, which Seymour has tellingly named Audrey 2, grows throughout the course of the show (some great special effects here) until it takes over not just the shop but the whole world, leaving us with the message, “Don’t feed the plants!”
The starring role of Seymour is played by the talented Calum Stretton, who I have seen in a variety of different roles over his time at NK but this must be one of his best. His combination of brilliant vocals and excellent dramatics lifted this production to a higher level. His co-star Audrey was played by Poppy Priest, who I have not come across before, but who did an amazing job with her first musical theatre experience. The owner of the flower shop was taken on by the versatile Kieran Hickey who has been in numerous NK productions in recent years and the role of Audrey’s boyfriend, the evil dentist Orin, was played by Brendan Williams, who makes a superb stage baddie following on from his role as Willie Lopez in Ghost, the musical a few months ago. The shows seven “Ronettes”, Kirsty Hassall, Charlotte Lavelle, Katja Morton, Holly Murphy, Jade Wilbraham, Shaz Ighodaro and Caitlin Wineyard were all superb and each was given the freedom to express their own characters within the performance. It would be remiss of me not to credit the voices of the plant Audrey 2, John Redfern and Isobel McConnell, who we didn’t actually see until the came on stage during the finale and received the applause they so richly deserved.
The show runs until Saturday 27th September and I think that tickets are still available for all shows. I think this is an extremely good production and well worth a visit. I cannot give it anything but a top rating of 5 stars.
Reviewer: David S Clarke
Reviewed: 24th September 2025
North West End UK Rating: