Little Shop of Horrors 2008

‘I was blown away with the outstanding performances given by each and every one.’

Eskdale & Liddesdale Advertiser

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The Reviews

noda

This is a new company comprised of younger people with ages ranging from late teens to early 20s and has been formed out of Langholm AODS.

The music, arranged by the producer’s son Oliver Jones, was excellent. Anthony Huddleston was a totally believable Seymour and acted and sang the role well. He has an excellent voice. Audrey, played by Katy Weir, captured the spirit of her part excellently and her voice was great. John Inner played the part of Mushnik with great depth, while Alasdair Wilson gave an excellent performance as the demon dentist. The Skid Row girls, Colette Divers, Sarah Rajszys and Hannah Cumming, were excelent links between scenes. All had strong voices and they worked splendidly.

The whole performance was staged very well and the transition from scene to scene was smooth. All in all an excellent show from a young company and I look forward to their next production.

EandL

Three sensational ‘Shop’ nights, Wednesday, 27 August 2008

I WENT to the Little Shop of Horrors show knowing nothing about it, which isn’t always a good thing, but this just made the whole evening more enjoyable because I didn’t know what was coming next.

Seymour (Anthony Huddleston) and Audrey (Katy Weir) played it for laughs in the Little Shop of Horrors at the Buccleuch Centre in LangholmIt started off with the audience laughing and they hardly stopped all night as the young cast acted, sang and performed to such a high standard with perfect timing.

It was clear that the musical was boosted with the professional set and props, which were used in the West End production, and it was wonderful.

Although I have been on stage with a number of the cast, I was blown away with the outstanding performances given by each and every one.

Tony Huddleston (Seymour) was a delight to watch. His comic timing and great singing really made the part.

Katy Weir (Audrey) was perfectly cast, singing and acting tremendously, and how she walked in those heels all night I’ll never know.

As always, John Innes (Mr Mushnik) was solid in his performance and the audience always warms to him and the humour he brings to a show.

There’s always a baddie in these shows and this fell to Alasdair Wilson (Orin the dentist). His evil sneer and ever so-slick hair just made people laugh instead of hating him, though.

I haven’t seen Ben Maxwell on the stage before and I was really impressed with how natural he was.

The three backing girls, Colette Divers, Hannah Cumming and Sarah Rajszys, sang well together and I was surprised to read in the programme that Hannah was only 14 and the youngest member.

The other cast members, Grant Anderson, Ama Sulter, Saikou Jammeh, Rachel Harris, Daniel Scott and Rebecca Jackson all fitted in perfectly with their individual characters.

Well, what can I say about the plant, Audrey ? It is actually a he and was, in fact, our own Billy Young.

Although I have never heard a talking plant, if I ever did, I would hope it sounded like this one, who sang to the audience in an evil operatic voice.

Having been in shows I realise the hard work and dedication that goes on backstage. These people really did a marvellous job and deserve credit. The musical director Oliver Jones did a superb job.

Although the music was difficult in places, the cast made it sound easy and it was quite clear what a talented musician he is with his accompanying.

Henry Jeffrey was the only other in the band and he played tuned percussion.

The simple, yet effective, choreography was an excellent feature and praise to Sarah Rajszys for her hard work in achieving this.

I believe that when the producer Chris Jones and director Judith Johnson decided to put on this show they knew they would be taking a risk.

The fact it would cost a lot of money to hire and deliver the set and also a three-night stint is quite daunting.

I think everyone who saw that show and has heard about it in the town would say they were pleased you did go ahead, and three nights wasn’t long enough.

The on-stage chemistry between the cast showed how much fun they were having and this, in turn, made the audience enjoy it.

Well done guys and I look forward very much to Centre Stage Theatre’s next production – Oh, What a Lovely War.

Jackie Beckett

EandL

When David met Audrey at the Little Shop of Horrors Wednesday, 14 May 2008

HE MAY be Britain’s best-known botanist but this plant baffled even Professor David Bellamy.

David Bellamy has a close encounter with Audrey, the bloodthirsty plantWhat could it be? Could it be linked to the forthcoming production of Little Shop of Horrors, part of the Langholm & Eskdale music and arts festival, whose central character is a bloodthirsty plant?

One of the longest-running Off- Broadway musicals, this affectionate spoof of 1950s sci-fi movies has become a household name.

Charming, tuneful and hilarious, with tongue firmly planted in cheek, Little Shop of Horrors never fails to entertain. The musical will feature young people from Langholm and is directed by Judith Johnson. Judith, who directed the Langholm pantomime last year, wanted to build on the success and community involvement it created.

She said: “It’s a quirky and hilarious musical. Seymour, an orphan and a nerd, is taken in and given a job by Mr Mushnik, the owner of a run-down florist’s in the seedy part of town. Seymour spends his time doing menial tasks and dreaming of the shop assistant, Audrey.

“One day, just after an eclipse of the Sun, Seymour discovers a strange plant. He buys it and names it Audrey II. While caring for Audrey II, Seymour discovers the plant’s rather unique appetite. The plant grows and grows, as does Seymour’s infatuation for Audrey, but who will get her first?

“Little Shop of Horrors recently ran in the West End and we’re delighted to have been granted the performing rights because it’s likely to be touring professionally soon. We’ve a professional set coming that will transform the stage at the Buccleuch Centre.

I’ve a strong production team and I’m looking forward to rehearsing with the cast over the coming months.

“David Bellamy is a great fan of the show, having seen it in London, and was delighted to cast his expert eye over the smallest ‘Audrey’.”