Little Shop Of Horrors At Sue Townsend Theatre Leicester Review

DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW

Reviewed by Mel Randle

Little Shop Of Horrors is an iconic 80’s musical movie currently being brought to life on stage at Sue Townsend Theatre in Leicester by Williams Creative Theatre Company. It follows the story of Seymour, a flower shop worker, who discovers a carnivorous plant and uses it to help boost the fortune of the waning florist with disastrous consequences. It’s a comedy with a sinister twist, and Williams Creative have done a stellar job of bringing it to their stage!

Now, I thought I had seen the movie (which in itself was an adaption of a 60’s film). I have certainly seen many clips and know the songs, but I didn’t know the ending and therefore was unable to warn my daughter that it wasn’t the happy ending I had alluded to, and in fact, the cute talking plant actually killed everybody. I’m not going to lie, that was a shock, but we can’t blame the actors for following the story and doing, in my opinion, an amazing job of it!

The cast was made up of (presumably) local performers, all who brought their own passion and enthusiasm for what they were doing to the stage! We were fortunate that the Sue Townsend Theatre is an intimate space with a large semi-circular stage and tiered seating that invites the audience into the action so we were fully engaged from curtain up and throughout.

Some notable performances ( although all were great!). Harry Mason and Emily Haywood as Seymour and Audrey would give Rick Moranis and Ellen Greene a run for their money. Emily’s look, demeanour and voice made me forget I was in a little theatre in Leicestershire at times! But the standout for me was Bill Mallon as the dentist Orin Scrivello. Bill out acted himself as the abusing, sadistic and essentially crazy dentist boyfriend of Audrey. He had us howling with laughter and hiding behind our hands at the same time, so much so, when he was killed off I was elated on Audrey’s behalf but disappointed that was the end of his performance. Maybe Bill could do an Orin Scrivello spin-off!

The set and the costumes complemented the energy in this performance perfectly. Everything was bold and vibrant and very on brand with the 60’s outfits. Sienna Barnes, Tash Bailey and Vikki Taylor were brilliant as the Mo-town narrator trio. It must have been an absolutely delight for them with the many fabulous costumes they had to wear. But of course the absolute star of the show was Audrey II – watching her grow from a little plant pot on the windowsill to the stage -dominating power plant that she became was so much fun! And despite knowing how she was operated (well done to that person sat in the costume in the middle of the stage) we were complete sold into the fact this was a talking plant!!

The whole evening was such a delight. It was such a feel good fun show, despite the tragic end! This is local theatre at its best and I urge you, if you have the chance, go see it. You really won’t be disappointed! And now I’m off to watch the film to the end……

Rating: 5/5

Little Shop Of Horrors is showing at Sue Townsend Theatre Leicester until Saturday 25th October 2025

Tickets from £15

For more information and to book, visit https://leicestercollege.ac.uk/sue-townsend-theatre/events/little-shop-of-horrors