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Any revival of this 1982  ( and 1960) cult classic has two alternatives, to reimagine and embrace  the absurdist original source material , or go 2026 digital. This production takes option one with an innovative exception- the use of onstage creative captions.

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It is the tale of how a mysterious shrub turns around the fortunes of Seymour, a hopeless florist in love with  Audrey.  Like the shrub- this show grows on you.

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Where it is pioneering , is in its use of creative captions – still a rarity in UK theatre. Caption designer Ben Glover incorporates them into the fabric of the show, making this staging accessible and good fun too, with chunky, horror movie-style lettering and cartoonish speech bubbles popping up on screens behind the action.

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The  star of the show is  Audrey II – the carnivorous plant that grows from a bud into a monstrosity. Here, the role is split in two, with Tasha Dowd providing soulful vocals from off stage and Ross Lennon acting as puppeteer, manoeuvring Audrey II’s increasingly bulbous foam head from within.

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Elsewhere, a cast of actor-musicians lend broad New York accents to the doo-wop and rock’n’roll favourites, including Skid Row (Downtown) and Feed Me (Git It)

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The show’s origins are awash with illustrious associations. David Geffen was one of the original producers of the off-Broadway show and he began planning to produce a feature film adaptation. Originally Steven Spielberg was attached to serve as an executive producer with Martin Scorsese attached to direct the film John Landis was also attached to the project for a time. Music producer and Four Seasons member Bob Gaudio adapted and produced the musical’s songs for the film.

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Director Sarah Brigham cannot be accused of a lack of ambition. Brigham loves utilising actor/ musicians and these are used to the fore with veteran Ivan Stott to the fore. She delivers her own revival first ,in advance of next year’s new production of the show from Oxford/ Leeds playhouse.

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Vocals are consistently impressive throughout,“Suddenly Seymour”, stands out as a highlight and opens Act Two strongly.

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The success of the puppetry is pivotal, and Audrey II is realised brilliantly. Tasha Dowo supplies powerhouse vocals while Ross Lennon gives the creature genuine menace through expert puppetry. The puppet itself, growing steadily throughout the production, is top-class, and by the final moments genuinely feels capable of taking over the world.

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Forty years on from the 1986 film adaptation of Little Shop Of Horrors – catapulting it from its earlier cinematic and stage iterations to Hollywood legend – this production delights audiences just as much as it did four decades ago.

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Under Sarah Brigham’s direction, the carefully illuminated and smoke-filled stage is set for the monstrous version of this tale as old as time – the man who wanted more at any cost. Vibrant colours abound with glowing greens, vibrant purples and pinks, and angry reds fir a show that borders on the noir.

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Amena El-Kindy brings a fiery depth to the tragic Audrey and arrests with her incredible vocals, while Jon Bonner’s Mr Mushnik adds a warmth while simultaneously skirting around caricature with his dynamic performance. The dulcet tones of the production’s Audrey II, voiced brilliantly by Tasha Dowd, meld beautifully with the plant.

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David Rankine is superb as the sadistic Orin Scrivello Rankine camp and outrageous.

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Alongside playing the iconic evil dentist to perfection, Rankine seamlessly transforms into several supporting characters, from the comically noir-coded Bernstein to the lascivious editor’s wife and the pushy Patrick Martin who is hellbent on the proliferation of little Audreys everywhere.

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The music is glorious with Motown and blues-inspired instrumentals and vocals from Chiffon (Chioma Uma), Crystal (Shekinah McFarlane), and Ronette (Emmanuella Chede) as well as brass and strings from supporting musicians,

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The show is pacy and brisk, and at two hours does its job, before bidding farewell

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A great night out that is visually striking,  tinged with darkness horror and campy thrills -tthe magic of theatre brought to life with puppets.

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Little Shop of Horrors runs at Derby Theatre until Saturday 20th June 2026. For tickets and more information visit https://derbytheatre.co.uk/event/little-shop-of-horrors/

Gay Longden