The smash hit much-loved musical Little Shop of Horrors has been around for more than 40 years but Drew Anthony is bringing it to the stage of Planet Royale in Northbridge next month with a whole new perspective to fit modern times.
“Little Shop of Horrors is one of Broadway’s great musicals, it’s got a terrific, unique, very funny storyline. It has wonderful characters and some of the best music ever written for Broadway by a wonderful composer, Alan Menken, who wrote the music for some of Disney’s great films,” Drew tells Have a Go News.
“The music is sensational and so are the songs and people who have seen the movie (1986) absolutely love Little Shop of Horrors. People should not be put off by the title, perhaps thinking they would not enjoy it, because it’s an incredibly enjoyable show.”
Packed with unforgettable 1960s doo-wop songs, quirky characters, an adorable love story and a highly entertaining blend of humour and horror, Little Shop of Horrors revolves around a character, the shy and timid Seymour Krelborn and his co-worker Audrey who work in a flower shop in a rundown neighbourhood in New York City.
Owner Mr Mushnik decides to close the store, but Audrey suggests he may have more success by displaying an unusual plant that Seymour owns, which he dubs Audrey II because of his love for the human Audrey.
As Audrey II grows, so does Seymour’s fame and fortune but at a deadly cost. Torn between his new-found success, his love for Audrey and the plant’s ever-escalating demands, Seymour must decide how far he’s willing to go to achieve his dreams.
The plant has been portrayed on stage in previous productions by a three-dimensional puppet. But Drew Anthony has teamed with animator and producer Travis Badge and his team to create on-screen a digital version of the plant, an original concept which will entrance audiences and achieve a modern look not done before.
“It’s the first time we have done this,” Travis Badge says. “It’s really great that Drew is willing to sort of blend different mediums together, essentially blending film with musical theatre, which is pretty exciting.
“The challenge for this project is that this medium is mixing musical theatre and real life people. It will be interesting to see the actors interact with the plant and answer to it as well.
“It’s a little bit of a new process for us because traditionally, we have been doing animated backgrounds so we have needed more time for this project.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how all this works.”
A talented Perth cast heads Little Shop of Horrors with Blake Jenkins as Seymour Krelborn, Emily Lambert (Audrey, reminiscent of the Fay Wray role in the 1933 film King Kong), Tim How (Mr Mushnik) and Noah Skape (The Dentist played in the film by Steve Martin) with Drew Anthony director and choreographer and Rachel Burgess associate producer.
“We have a wonderful trio of girls who kind of act as the narrator and they’re three of Perth’s most incredible soul singers, Carrie Pereira, Jordyn Gallop and Kya Moreno,” Drew says.
“It’s a wonderful small cast but here’s the thing, in other worldwide productions the plant has been a puppet but for the first time we’re creating on screen, a digital version of the plant so it will be amazing.
“I’ve always wanted to direct Little Shop of Horrors, it’s one of Broadway’s great shows which I’ve seen on two occasions including last November when I was in New York and other productions around the world. It really suits our venue at Planet Royale which has a kind of pop culture atmosphere and vibe.
“I’m looking forward to bringing it to life in our own special way, especially with our reimagined version of Audrey II.”
Little Shop of Horrors plays at Planet Royale, Northbridge, from 7.30pm Thursday, August 28. Bookings: Ticketmaster. Visit: drewanthonycreative.com.au
