Posts with the label Jemima Rooper
Showing posts with label Jemima Rooper. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jemima Rooper. Show all posts

Tuesday 14 August 2018

Little Shop of Horrors, Regent's Park Open Air Theatre | Review


Little Shop of Horrors
Regent's Park Open Air Theatre
Reviewed on Monday 13th August 2018 by Olivia Mitchell 
★★★★

Productions at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre are basically a summer rite of passage. The beautiful outdoor space is the perfect place to watch brilliant theatre as the sun sets over you and (as long as it's not raining) provides a perfect summer evening. Currently on offer at the venue is a re-worked version of the 1982 plant-horror (?) musical, Little Shop of Horrors

This story of a monster plant is crazy anyway so has the tendency to turn tacky very easily, but Director, Maria Aberg embraces the weirdness with open arms and pulls of a gloriously cheesy but worth-the-ticket-price production.

As the charming, plant loving, Audrey admiring, Seymour, Marc Antolin is fantastic. He brings a real warmth to the character as well as providing sweet, smooth vocals and working well alongside Jemima Rooper as Audrey.



The Greek Chorus made up of Christina Modestou, RenĂ©e Lamb and Seyi Omooba bring a sense of realism to the show (well, as real as you can get with a man-eating, talking plant) and provide killer vocals. The trio are absolutely outstanding, commanding the stage and making all their moments on stage shine, especially the note-perfect rendition of The Meek Shall Inherit.

In an inspired piece of cast, the plant, Audrey II is played by drag queen, Vicky Vox who gives a sassy, fiery performance and brings a fresh layer to the show which makes it feel new all of a sudden.

Mention must also go to Matt Willis as Orin (among other characters) who gives a humourously versatile and sadistic performance.



Tom Scutt's bleak Skid Row set is in perfect contrast to the lush surroundings of Regent's Park and also helps heighten the pops of green and pink on stage. The costumes are camp and wonderful, especially at the end when the entire cast and ensemble are serving looks

This production is big, bold and wonderful. Humour, prime vocals and a crazy story make this the most enjoyable way to spend an evening. Tickets are limited but if you can find a way to get to Skid Row, you won't be disappointed!

Little Shop of Horrors runs at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre until September 22nd

photo credit: Johan Persson

Little Shop of Horrors, Regent's Park Open Air Theatre | Review

Tuesday 14 August 2018