Theatre Company has gone all green fingered and glamorous as it presents Little Shop of Horrors, the hugely popular comedy rock musical by composer Alan Menken and writer Howard Ashman, about a hapless florist shop worker who raises a plant that feeds on human flesh and blood.
This spring’s show marks a real contrast to last year, when the company brought two very traditional musicals to The Courtyard’s stage – The Sound of Music and Annie. For the first show of 2013 it’s opted for a production that showcases its breadth of talent and features a small, fresh new adult HMTC company led by two regulars on the Herefordshire theatre scene – director and choreographer Jon Stacey and musical director Ian Strangward.
“Little Shop of Horrors is a rare gem of musical theatre,” says Jon. “It combines science fiction with an engaging storyline. Our cast may be small but you are on board for a riotous roller-coaster of an evening with hell of a lot of laughs, and a seductive musical score packed with 1950s rock and roll, doo wop and early Motown sound.”
Songs include Skid Row (Downtown), Somewhere That’s Green, Suddenly, Seymour and the title song sung by HMTC’s talented trio Bex Taylor, Breanne Burton and Charlotte Glasspool – playing Crystal, Ronette and Chiffon, the narrators.
Bex has been with the company since 2008, playing, among others, the flirty Carrie in Carousel in 2010, while Charlotte joined in 2010, taking the lead role of Maria in The Sound of Music last year.
HMTC has been delighted to welcome a number of talented new members recently, among them Breanne Burton who is currently studying theatre at Hereford Sixth Form College. She joins Bex and Charlotte in her first principal role, one that is very different to her favourite classical Greek style of theatre.
“But I’m enjoying every minute of rehearsing and I can’t wait to get on stage,” she says.
Another newcomer, Emma Eastick, takes the lead role as Audrey. “This is my first principal role,” she says.
“And it’s one I’ve dreamed of playing ever since I was in the chorus of a school production of Little Shop of Horrors in 2004.”
HMTC also welcomes the return of former member, Richard Thomas, as hapless Seymour, his first performance with the company in almost 10 years. Despite relocating to Cardiff Richard has maintained his ties with HMTC, invited back to direct and choreograph Thoroughly Modern Millie in 2008 and the phenomenally successful The Full Monty the following year.
“Seymour is one of my all time dream roles,” he says.
“I’m delighted to be back on The Courtyard stage again to play him.
Also new to the company is Steve Liddle, artistic director of X-entricity, playing the other Audrey, a cross between a Venus flytrap and an avocado. “It’s a part unlike any other I’ve ever played,” he admits.
Hereford Musical Theatre Company presents Little Shop of Horrors at The Courtyard from April 23 to 27. To book, call the box office on 01432 340555
Narrators Bex Taylor, Charlotte Glasspool, Emma Eastick (who plays Audrey) and Breanne Burton. Picture by Raymond Lin. Below: Richard Taylor will play Seymour
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here