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In
my view, the theatrical productions at LIPA are the best kept secret
in Liverpool. They are open to the public, tickets are cheap, the
Paul McCartney Auditorium is an excellent venue, and the productions
by the students are of professional standard. A few months ago they
staged the highly complicated Stephen Sondheim musical, Sunday In
The Park With George, with immense skill and this time a much lighter
touch was needed for the nonsensical, science fiction musical, Little
Shop Of Horrors.
In
1960 the film director, Roger Corman, shot Little Shop Of Horrors,
in two days and it is noted for the young Jack Nicholson playing
a sadistic dentist. In 1982 and inspired by both The Rocky Horror
Show and Grease, Howard Ashman (book and lyrics) and Alan Menken
(music) converted the film into a stage musical. After being a stage
success, it became a film musical in 1986 with Rick Moranis as the
nerdy florist and Steve Martin as the leader of the plaque. The
ensuing years have not been so good for the musical as Rocky Horror
has become an important franchise and Little Shop Of Horrors is
a memory.
The
musical opens with a bittersweet parody of Petula Clark’s Downtown,
revealing just what life is like on Skid Row, but the social commentary
in this song is not followed through in the rest of the show. Mushnik’s
flower shop is doing poorly but Seymour (played by Stuart Nicoll
looking rather like Randy Newman) comes across a strange plant during
a total eclipse of the sun. He names the plant, Audrey II, after
his secret love, who also works in the shop, and soon the public
are flocking in to see it. Just one problem: the plant thrives on
human blood.
Audrey
(Helen Wilding) is in a relationship with the motorbiking dentist,
Orin played with great relish by Stuart Ward, who is keen on inflicting
pain. When Seymour comes to his surgery, he overdoses on the gas
and becomes Audrey II’s first full meal. In time, the plant
eats the shop owner (James Parkes), Audrey and Seymour. The ending,
in true horror movie fashion, shows that the plant and its cuttings
getting ready to take over the world.
The
story is so ridiculous that there can be absolutely no horror in
the production and the plant in its various guises and sizes was
greeted with laughter by the audience. Its operators, Andrew Gallant
(voice) and Gareth Yearley (movement) are very effective, although
the singing voice lacks the richness of Levi Stubbs in the film.
All
the songs are specific to the plot which is probably why none of
them are known outside the show. Mostly there are a homage to the
New York doowop and girl group scene of the late 50s. The lyrics
are consistently witty and the 15 strong cast perform them very
enthusiastically. Both Stuart Nicoll and Helen Wilding are excellent
and although the choreography is okay, there is nothing too complicated
here. The audience loved the show, especially when a giant tentacle
dropped from the ceiling at the finish.
Words:
Spencer Leigh
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