LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
Stag Theatre Company
Director – Chris Howland
Musical Director – David Grubb
Choreography – Jess McEwen
Thursday, 14th October 2010
Front of House: I would say non existent! No one to meet me in the foyer, just two small boys selling programmes. Even the box office were put in a flap when I asked for my tickets.
Programme: Nice colourful, informative programme but no synopsis.
Set/Props: The Stag Theatre has a large stage and I just felt that this production would have been better placed in a smaller venue, asstaging must have been a nightmare with only three locations; Skid Row, a rather wavy curtain which was pulled across. Mushnik’s Shop, half of the large stage and Orin’s dentist room, lit on a corner of the stage. When it was necessary to show the outside of the shop, the back window was pulled round to the front of the stage. This all worked reasonably well. I know the florist shop was meant to be run down but I would liked to have seen more plants/flowers as stage dressing.
Lighting/Sound: This all seemed to work well. Singing and dialogue were always audible.
Costumes: These were all fine. How Lauren-Jean managed to walk on those heels I shall never know!
Musical Direction: The music was provided by a band under the direction of David Grubb. I am not entirely sure how many band members there were as there was no mention of them in the programme. This type of music is always too loud for me but I suppose that was how it was supposed to be. Nevertheless they made a good sound.
The Production: Chris Howland’s direction was simple but effective and made the best use of the large stage. The cast were excellent. Jamie Thomas capturing the unfortunate downtrodden Seymour. Lauren-Jean Reeves played the abused Audrey (1) with humour and fragility when required and had a lovely singing voice. Don Short was faultless as Mushnik, the shop owner and Robert Grist squeezed every possible bit of humour from his main role as the manic dentist Orin. Mary Whiting (Chiffon) Cathryn Short (Crystal) and Ruth Makepeace (Ronnette) were excellent in their vocal harmonies and added energy to their roles, with Jess McEwen’s choreography. David Waller, the voice, and presumably ‘the puppeteer’ of Audrey 11 was suitably menacing in the plant’s demands. There are a lot of good musical numbers and while not the longest of shows, this was an enjoyable evening well received by the disappointingly small, but appreciative audience.
Doreen Grierson
NODA Regional Rep
District 7
Director – Chris Howland
Musical Director – David Grubb
Choreography – Jess McEwen
Thursday, 14th October 2010
Front of House: I would say non existent! No one to meet me in the foyer, just two small boys selling programmes. Even the box office were put in a flap when I asked for my tickets.
Programme: Nice colourful, informative programme but no synopsis.
Set/Props: The Stag Theatre has a large stage and I just felt that this production would have been better placed in a smaller venue, asstaging must have been a nightmare with only three locations; Skid Row, a rather wavy curtain which was pulled across. Mushnik’s Shop, half of the large stage and Orin’s dentist room, lit on a corner of the stage. When it was necessary to show the outside of the shop, the back window was pulled round to the front of the stage. This all worked reasonably well. I know the florist shop was meant to be run down but I would liked to have seen more plants/flowers as stage dressing.
Lighting/Sound: This all seemed to work well. Singing and dialogue were always audible.
Costumes: These were all fine. How Lauren-Jean managed to walk on those heels I shall never know!
Musical Direction: The music was provided by a band under the direction of David Grubb. I am not entirely sure how many band members there were as there was no mention of them in the programme. This type of music is always too loud for me but I suppose that was how it was supposed to be. Nevertheless they made a good sound.
The Production: Chris Howland’s direction was simple but effective and made the best use of the large stage. The cast were excellent. Jamie Thomas capturing the unfortunate downtrodden Seymour. Lauren-Jean Reeves played the abused Audrey (1) with humour and fragility when required and had a lovely singing voice. Don Short was faultless as Mushnik, the shop owner and Robert Grist squeezed every possible bit of humour from his main role as the manic dentist Orin. Mary Whiting (Chiffon) Cathryn Short (Crystal) and Ruth Makepeace (Ronnette) were excellent in their vocal harmonies and added energy to their roles, with Jess McEwen’s choreography. David Waller, the voice, and presumably ‘the puppeteer’ of Audrey 11 was suitably menacing in the plant’s demands. There are a lot of good musical numbers and while not the longest of shows, this was an enjoyable evening well received by the disappointingly small, but appreciative audience.
Doreen Grierson
NODA Regional Rep
District 7