Review: PGS' 'Little Shop of Horrors'

 by the Burkinshaws

PGS has put on another stunning musical production this year, with Little Shop of Horrors, performed at the New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth. This horror-comedy classic, with its combination of soul, doo-wop and rock'n'roll numbers, is a perennial favourite and the school's dazzling production, directed by James Gulliford and produced by James Robinson, did not disappoint.  

From the very beginning, Willow Armstrong (Ronnette), Rafe Crane-Robinson (Supreme), Charlotte Earle (Chiffon) and Liberty Tickner (Crystal) played the role of the singing, dancing Greek Chorus with vivacity and vigour, providing the show with its rhythm and heartbeat. 

Lucy Albuery showed impressive range in the role of Mr Mushnik, shifting from broad comedy to an increasing sense of tragedy, convincingly suggesting complexities and vulnerabilities to her character that gave Mushnik's death a genuine pathos. Archie Elliot and Isabelle Durrant lent the roles of young lovers that, in less assured hands, could be one-dimensional, real depth and complexity. Archie gave Seymour a vulnerability and ingenuousness that shaded subtly into paranoia and turmoil as the play reached its denouement. Through her sensitive portrayal of a troubled but resilient young woman and her dazzling singing voice, Isabelle gave the role of Audrey an emotive power and comic force; her rendition of 'Somewhere that's Green' captivated the audience.  

Maisie English, as Audrey II, was phenomenal, never anything other than in command of the stage. Her richly toned rendition of 'Feed Me' was spine-chilling and her rousing finale-performance of 'Mean Green Mother from Outer Space' was an audience (and cast) favourite. Harvey Hill offered some early scene-stealing, as a bum rummaging forlornly through the trash on Skid Row, before triumphantly returning as the demon dentist, channeling Elvis and Stanley Kowalski, by turns terrifying and hilarious, until his grotesque, absurd death from a laughing-gas overdose. 

There were excellent supporting performances by Jamie Reynolds as an enthusiastic plant-buyer and Lorcan Bonser-Wilton as a less enthusiastic dental patient. Nancy Ruan was a very convincing interviewer and Sanuli Weganthale, Grace Powell and Mackenzie Gilmore gave memorable performances as would-be buyers of Audrey II, while Amelia Jones' eager botanist helped the play reach its dark conclusion. 

A talented ensemble, with pupils from Years 8-11, lent energy and verve to the whole production, under the guidance of choreographer Gemma Williams, complementing the band (Josef Archer, Adam Blosse, John Hammond and Kevin Walker) who gave the show its rhythmic drive under the direction of Gareth Hemmings. 

From the very beginning, the set, designed by James Gulliford and Luke Tench, conveyed the dark, desperate atmosphere of Skid Row and the surreally hellish dental surgery, as well as the vertiginous growth of Audrey II. Congratulations, too, to the lighting/sound/camera teams, and also Kate Jones for the amazing costumes.