Drew Anthony Creative has managed to produce an innovative and original production of the Broadway hit, Little Shop of Horrors. Anthony has managed to assemble a cast of exceptional talent that work together to create magic on stage.
The dynamic and harmonic Crystal (Carrie Pereira), Ronnette (Jordyn Gallop) and Chiffon (Kya Moreno) open the show with a powerful rendition of Skid Row and their vocal strength as a trio continues throughout the performance.
Blake Jenkins is charming as Seymour Krelborn. As the shy, bumbling protagonist, Jenkins manages to showcase his characters development from incompetent assistant to a man that attains riches, fame and fortune.
Emily Lambert as the sweet, kind and insecure Audrey is exceptional. She struts across the stage in high heels and elicits all the sympathy required for her character. Her voice is commanding and the duets with Jenkins are powerful and eloquently performed.
Tim How as Mr Mushnik manages to maintain his character’s Yiddish accent throughout the entire production. Something seasoned professional actors often struggle with.
Noah Skape, who plays the dentist as well as several other characters, is a delight to watch. Often transforming in a manner of seconds, he manages to skilfully assume different mannerisms for the various characters he plays with wit and charm.
His characterisations of the deceptive, coercive, agents vying to gain Seymour’s signature on various contracts is amusing. He was able to use his body to accentuate and exaggerate movements with great comedy and theatrical flair.
The true ground breaking aspect of the performance is the use of LED technology to create the giant green plant, Audrey II. This digital version of the big green menacing plant, created by Perth animation company Aquixel, becomes a digital star.
The direction that enables the digital plant to eat its various human victims is cleverly choregraphed. Clay Darius provides the voice for Audrey II belting out the soulful sounds of the plant’s various numbers throughout the show.
The lighting design is adequate, however at times the stage feels too dark, particularly on the left and right sides where some of the action occurs, and leaves the actors features hard to see.
Gone from this production is the original cautionary tale ending, replaced with a They lived happily every after … or did they?
Drew Anthony Creative’s Little Shop of Horrors is an enjoyable and original production. The development of adding background LED scenes to interact with the actors is groundbreaking and worth a look.
Little Shop of Horrors
Planet Royale, 12 Lake Street, Northbridge (Perth)
Performance: Friday 29 August 2025
Season continues to 13 September 2025
Bookings: www.ticketmaster.com.au
For more information, visit: www.drewanthonycreative.com.au for details.
Images: Blake Jenkins as Seymour and Emily Lambert as Audrey – photo by Amanda Humphreys | Tim How as Mr Mushnik – photo by Amanda Humphreys | Blake Jenkins as Seymour and Audrey II – photo by Amanda Humphreys
Review: Craig Dalglish