Little Shop of Horrors – Bord Gáis Energy Theatre – Review
by Fran Winston

Runs until August 9 at 7.30pm nightly with matinees at 2.30pm on Thursdays and Saturdays.
Tickets available from €24.20

Believe it or not, this all-singing, all-dancing beloved musical is the Bord Gais Energy Theatre’s first foray into its own productions. It is a fully Irish production (of a very American musical), in association with TheatreworX. The Irishness of the cast and crew seems to be their biggest selling point for the show, which first debuted over 30 years ago in 1982, based on a 1960 movie. It also got a very memorable big-screen treatment in 1986 starring Rick Moranis and Steve Martin, which ensured its place in pop culture history.

It tells the story of Seymour (played by David O’Reilly), a hapless florist who has an unrequited crush on co-worker Audrey (Jacqueline Brunton). He has been cultivating a mysterious exotic plant, which turns out to have a dark secret. It promises to turn his life around if he can keep it well fed with human flesh.

It seems an odd choice for their first production, although it does have quite a large ensemble, which allows them to showcase plenty of Irish talent, who all do their best American accents.

This is definitely a cult classic, and the songs are undeniably catchy. Even if you don’t know them, you will find yourself tapping your foot to their infectious beat. The cast all do a great job, although Fair City’s Johnny Ward as Audrey’s abusive dentist boyfriend Orin will inevitably draw comparisons to Steve Martin’s performance in the 1986 film, which he seems to be heavily channelling.

The set is fabulous, which also allows them to accommodate the ever-growing plant, which Seymour christens Audrey II (voiced by Kenneth O’Regan), with the shop switching between façade and interior to allow them to show the action on the street outside. The only scene which doesn’t take place in these confines is one in Orin’s dental office, which is accommodated by a drop-down set.

The night I attended, the audience seemed to be predominantly made up of friends and family of the cast, so an enthusiastic reaction was guaranteed. I would like to see it with a regular audience to see how they enjoy it. This isn’t the best production I have seen of this, but it does have the most heart and is a solid show that is extremely entertaining. The quirky and dark subject matter won’t be to everybody’s taste, but if you like your musicals weird and wacky, this will tick all your boxes.