After premiering in Brisbane to unanimous rave reviews, the smash hit production of Little Shop of Horrors sold out leaving theatre fans desperate for more.
Woodward Productions has confirmed that the much-loved production is finally on the move, set to play strictly limited seasons in Hobart, Melbourne and Wollongong, with additional cities rumoured for 2027.
Playing at Hobart’s Theatre Royal from April 2027, Melbourne’s Athenaeum Theatre from May 2027, and Illawarra Performing Arts Centre from July 2027, the dark comedy musical sees nerdy florist Seymour Krelborn stumble upon a new breed of plant at Mushnik’s flailing flower shop on Skid Row.
Naming it ‘Audrey II’ after his co-worker crush, Seymour soon discovers the foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore plant has sinister intentions. Equal parts hilarious, camp, and sci-fi horror, this high-octane spectacle blends B-movie mayhem, outrageous comedy, and jaw-dropping puppetry with a killer score of ’60s pop, doo-wop, and rock ‘n’ roll.
Little Shop of Horrors is the ultimate cult classic about ambition, greed, and the terrifying cost of getting everything you ever wanted.
Woodward Productions Founder and Producer Alex Woodward said he was excited to tour this new, full-scale Australian version of Little Shop of Horrors, following its sell-out season at Brisbane’s QPAC earlier this year.
“Little Shop of Horrors was one of the first shows I’d seen that had me completely rapt. It had that same effect on audiences when we staged it in Brisbane, so we can’t wait for Melbourne and Hobart to experience the magic mix of elaborate plant puppetry and a deranged dentist that has garnered such a cult following for more than 40 years,” said Woodward. “Audiences are in for a potent nostalgia hit that is very camp, ridiculously fun and slightly gory.”
With Music by Alan Menken and Book and Lyrics by Howard Ashman, since its premiere at Off-Off-Broadway in 1982, Little Shop of Horrors has enraptured millions of theatregoers worldwide and was adapted into a film in 1986 starring Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene and Steve Martin.
This revival is directed by Alister Smith, who has realised musical adaptations of other cult classics like Bring It On, Cruel Intentions and The Wedding Singer. Music Supervisor David Young (Frozen) and Musical Director Heidi Loveland (Carrie: The Musical) will lead a six-piece band through Little Shop of Horrors‘ blend of 60s pop, doo-wop and R&B, delivering unforgettable earworms like Suddenly Seymour, Feed Me (Git It) and Dentist!.
Designer Penny Challen, Lighting Designer Declan O’Neil and Choreographer Dan Venz will illuminate the gleeful allure of the American Dream in 1960s New York, B-Movie kitsch and meaningful silliness that is synonymous with Little Shop of Horrors.
The full cast for the tour of Little Shop of Horrors will be announced soon.
Tickets for Little Shop of Horrors will be released to the general public early November. The waitlist is now open and the most ravenous plant fans can sign up for the pre-sale access. For more information, visit: www.littleshopmusicalaustralia.com for details.
Image: Little Shop of Horrors (supplied)