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Nicholas de Jongh's rating
, Flower underpowered
By
Nicholas de Jongh
13 Mar 2007
In a West End groaning with the weight of American musicals Little Shop of Horrors offers too little dark relief.
Still bearing ample traces of its origins as Roger Corman's classic Fifties sci-fi movie, this off-Broadway and on-West-End musical was extravagantly praised at its Chocolate Factory revival in November.
Perhaps the comic-book hideousness of Audrey 2, that human-eating plant, which thanks to animatronics turned more than a bit human, appealed to the vulgar teenager in us. The plant does, after all, resemble a cross between gargantuan penis and giant caterpillar.
Now, in the West End, Matthew White's production strikes many witless, dull and gross notes. The songs are reckoned witty and might have been if the singers were not overwhelmed by the band.
The lead performers, apart from Paul Keating's geeky flower assistant, Seymour, engender little fun.
The voice of unseen Mike McShane, who thickly croaks and sings Audrey 2, proves the one inventive, star attraction in this morality musical about the lures of greed and sexual desire.
The action in the Alan Menken-Howard Ashman musical is mainly on Skid Row.
Designer David Farley makes the place sombre and decrepit with dustbins, down-and-outs and a threesome, doo-wop girl chorus.
Unfortunately, though, the Duke of York's aisle-seat sight-lines are abysmal. A misplaced dustbin on stage meant I could not see crucial incidents in the commercially wilting flower shop owned by Barry James's insipid Mr Mushnik.
Here, Seymour lusts in secret, chronic meekness after his very opposite number, Sheridan Smith's Audrey.
Miss Smith, breasts almost bursting out all over and quantities of upper-leg flashed thanks to a minimal skirt, ought make a far funnier impression and be far more of an air-heady, squeaky, sexy love-victim.
Typically, "I'm dating a semi-sadist" ought be a big laugh line in Rocky Horror style and wasn't. She sings touchingly, though.
Alistair McGowan, who plays Audrey's sadistic, leather-clad dentist-lover and ought to engender delirious amusement when he gets Seymour in his dental chair, turns farcical-grotesque rather than black-comedyish.
The fun is at its best when Seymour's rare plant, Audrey 2, grows big, makes the shop prosperous and demands human flesh.
Keating, flustered and flushed by Audrey's reciprocated love after the dentist's appearance, succumbs to panic and criminal deviousness.
It is not enough. This Little Shop offers too few of the right goods.
• Booking to 2 June (0870 060 6623).
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (5)
Sheridan Smith is a fantastic, natural actress with superb comedy-timing, and a great singing voice. Her portrayal of Audrey was absolutely perfect, and so convincing. I saw it five times!
'Little Shop' was a fabulous production, and has just received three nominations in the Theatregoers' Choice Awards:
Sheridan for Best Actress in a Musical, Paul Keating for Best Actor in a Musical, and Little Shop for Best Musical Revival.
- M.Richardson, London, 16/12/2007 22:32
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I'm really surprised by this poor review. The production is terrific, and I've never been to a press night where the audience were enjoying themselves as much or were close to spontaneous standing ovations throughout the show. Sheridan Smith does indeed play Audrey very differently from Ellen Greene's squeaky caricature, but in doing so makes the part real, touching and sexual. In my opinion, she's better than the original, and her big number is far more powerful and moving because of these choices. She owned the show in its Chocolate Factory run: now she's absolutely matched by Paul Keating's newly charged performance as Seymour.
It's huge fun, and genuinely funny, which is a rare treat in the West End at the moment. With The Producers gone, I can't think of anything else that really hits the comedy mark so well. It's a real treat.
- Derren Brown, London, UK, 21/03/2007 09:31
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After reading this review I can't help thinking that Nicholas went to see a different show.
I loved "Little Shop of Horrors" from start to finish. So did everyone else it seemed! The singing and acting were absolutely fantastic - very professional but performed with ease and humour. The actors seemed to be having a good time themselves. Wonderful singing voices - I didn't know Sheridan can sing. Wow can she sing! And touch your heart at the same time. And the three girls - wonderful. Everyone on stage was great! The story was fun, the plant amazing - the best musical I've seen in a long time. My advice: go to the Duke of York's and treat yourself to a fun night out. I would go and see it again anytime!
- S. Palme, London, 16/03/2007 12:32
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I saw the production at the Chocolate Factory and at the Duke of York's.
I thought it trasnfered well. I was so pleased to see most of the original cast and Alistair McGowan did a great job as the 'semi-sadist' dentist. It was great to see him performing a non celebrity role for once!
I love the movie verison of Audrey and I thought Sheridan Smith gave Ellen Green a run for her money!
Well done to all, the standing ovation was well deserved!
- John Schless, London, 15/03/2007 12:17
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I went to the opening night of 'Little Shop of Horrors', and I thought it was absolutely fantastic! So did the rest of the audience, who cheered enthusiastically from the opening song onwards. The set was very atmospheric, and the acting and singing were superb. Sheridan Smith is an amazing and versatile actress, and can make you laugh and make you cry as she moves effortlessly from comedy to pathos. The whole cast and production team, deserve to be congratulated, and earned the sustained standing ovation.
It's a great family-show and will have a long run. There are already many coach trips booked, and it will prove to be very popular. Good luck to them all, don't miss seeing it!
- Mrs M. Richardson, York, England, 13/03/2007 13:33
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