So, let’s get the story straight. I am not a musical lover. In fact, I quite dislike the majority of all musicals. I find them illogical with how everyone breaks into song at the untimeliest moments, exploring their own thoughts and feelings in a private dramatic musical number, but with the entire cast singing and dancing along as if they know too. Quite a few musical shows/movies, mainly Disney productions have the worst timing when transitioning into a song and dance. Others like Les Misérables get on my nerves with the excess singing- there is no break, and yes that is what a musical is I know, but the constant tone changes to a conversational song to a full operatic burst of melody on repeat is a bit much.
This raises the question, why is an avid musical naysayer willingly watching a musical?
I am in year eleven now, and I have never seen any school production in my seven-year tenure at WCC. Until Little Shop of Horrors popped up like an intriguing carnivorous flower. I decided to attend the opening night show to support my friends- who make up a considerable amount of the musical cast and orchestra. I will say that this musical hooked me from the set, the music, and entire composition in one single moment. It instantly grabbed my attention from the whirlwind of life, make a joke or two to settle the nerves, then immediately squashed my heart with the heart stopping horror.
I had the privilege of existing in the backstage preparation before the musical started. There was a hive of activity when I entered the make-up room, cast members changing into costumes, tech support were attaching microphones; the flurry of brushes rapidly applying dirt and grime upon the riff-raff of skid row, all clad in monotony. Although the beginnings of the night were grey, the highlights were the yellow and greens popping up like spontaneous blooms of a particular carnivorous plant.
As I walked into the PA hall for the Little Shop of Horrors, magenta lighting flooded the stage, a sleeping homeless man- played by Philip- was lying upon stage. The place was rough, the fear of being pickpocketed by some poor children grew within me like hungry vines. The overall excitement for the show rippled across the audience.
Lighting was splendid, across the entirety of the show the lighting added layers of fear and suspense particularly with the flicking horror sign whenever such events occurred on stage. The set design was simply well under construction, pardon the pun, the rundown, ramshackle Skid Row was covered in crime from the left wing to right downstage. Figures frozen in the act, waiting for the cue to run away.
From the first note I was captured- I was smiling the biggest cheshire grin you could ever see. The whole prologue and production were fun, energetic and it was clear that the cast enjoyed the show and their excitement for opening night flowed through their singing and dancing. The urchins were spectacular, perfectly in sync and with great attitude. The facial expressions and body contortions were completely freaky and fun to watch.
The whole production was well polished, and it was evident that countless hours were poured into by the Director Mr Christie, the producers, the cast, the ensemble, the orchestra, and all other supporting roles. All the characters were played phenomenally well; Noah maintained his awkward, stiff posture throughout the night, keeping the character of Seymour truly an unsuspecting dork; Jacob perfectly encapsulated the exploitative boss, dismissing Seymour in the beginning then adopting his genius for his own benefit; Mia played the abused American doll wonderfully, surprising me with a perfect accent; Sam then maniacally embodied a sadistic dentist with a tooth to pick and an extreme issue with nitrous oxide, who funnily dies of laughter.
I loved the music score- the orchestra played the entire night incredibly well. The jazz-style was fun and dynamic, much like the acting, building tension in rolling tsunamis of crescendos. The horror atmosphere was enhanced by this spooky jazz, then exponentially increased by the bloodcurdling screams of Mushnik, Audrey, Seymour, and the Dentist.
“Seymour, Seymour, Seymour!”
Boomed across the PA Hall, echoing in each heart, eliciting horror, and fear within the enraptured audience. Leaving you on the edge of your seat, screaming at the stage, “don’t do that!” Then the jaunty jazz tune picks up and whirls everyone into the next number.
The entire night was genuinely the epitome of fun, filled with humour and laughter, horror, and screams. At the end, the Little Shop of Horrors left the audience with severe warning:
“Don’t feed the plants!”
Frankly, my hands hurt from all the clapping, and I am sure yours will too. The show was simply superb. My night was well spent, and I can truly say as a naysayer that I loved this musical. The transitions between dialogue and singing were smooth and made sense. The ensemble added to the overall energy of the show, a whirlwind of emotions encapsulated in a couple of hours. I personally implore you to go buy some tickets and witness pure talent in the Little Shop of Horrors.
