This week, The Haslemere Players are bringing the hugely popular and iconic comedy musical, Little Shop of Horrors to Haslemere Hall. Running from Thursday June, 6 to Saturday June 9, with a matinee on the Saturday.   

I was invited to review the dress rehearsal by Andrew Boughton, the show’s director and was amazed at the incredible acting talent and dazzling singing and dancing performance of the cast. Am Dram? More like West End!   

This deviously delicious multi-award winning, Broadway and West End sci-fi musical is based on the book by Howard Ashman with well-known songs composed by Alan Menken (Beauty & the Beast, The Little Mermaid) in the style of early 1960s rock ‘n roll, doo-wop and Motown and has devoured the hearts of theatre goers for more than 30 years.   

The musical is being performed by the renowned Haslemere Players
The musical is being performed by the renowned Haslemere Players (Debbie Bowyer/Haslemere Players)

The story features Seymour – an outstanding performance from the fantastic Lewis Hoskins – a meek and down-trodden florist’s shop assistant on Skid Row in New York who is oppressed by his bossy, controlling employer, Mushnik – the fabulous as ever, Tony Creasey. 

Seymour secretly admires his glamorous colleague, Audrey – the stunning Alexandra Boughton with her incredibly beautiful voice - who, like him, has few feelings of self-worth. Audrey is currently in a relationship with the bullying dentist, Orin – the dynamic voice of Leo Gordon with his huge stage presence -   who eventually meets his deserved and rather squeamish ending! 

With an interesting twist, the show’s characters are joined by three Street-wise singing and dancing “urchins” – Emily Butcher, Charlotte Parrott and Dawn Stephens – who are also the gorgeous Greek Chorus, who only the audience can see! 

The florist shop is failing and about to close, when Seymour accidently cultivates a weird and strange alien plant – dubbed Audrey II – which brings about a rapid upturn in the shop’s fortunes. This R&B singing carnivore – excellently orchestrated by Plant Operator, Mike Byrne and superbly voiced by Alex  

Campbell - feeds only on human blood and flesh supplied by Seymour and grows to enormous proportions as it sets out its mission to take over the World – with devastating consequences for the cast!  A compelling musical show not to be missed – I loved it! 

To book your tickets call Haslemere Hall on 01428 642161 or go to www.haslemerehall.co.uk  

By Debbie Bowyer