For several members of the cast of York Light Opera Company’s Little Shop Of Horrors it will be a case of second, and even third time around when they begin their run at The Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York, tomorrow.
“This darkly comic musical is clearly an ever-popular choice for cast members, and a great favourite with audiences,” says director John Hall.
Leading lady Rachael Wilkinson, who portrays the naïve, ditzy Skid Row flower-shop assistant Audrey, first played the role in 2002 at King James’s School in Knaresborough. Emily Rockliff, playing Chiffon this time around, was in the chorus of that production.
Chorus member Nicky Dawson directed the musical at Camp America in 2001 and Richard McDonald, who will be playing Sicko, the sadomasochistic patient in the dentist chair scene, took the lead role of Seymour in Preston University’s production of 2007. Chorus member Ruth Symington lit that show.
The darkly comic role of Orin, the crazy dentist, will be portrayed by Anthony Gardner, who played Seymour in the University of York Gilbert and Sullivan Society’s production of Little Shop in 1998.
Five years later, he directed the S H Lam Dramatic Society’s production in Thames Ditton, also voicing the role of Audrey II, the blood-thirsty plant.
That role goes to Lee Gemmell, who completes a hat-trick of performances as Audrey II, after starring in productions by the Rowntree Musical Theatre Company in June 2005 and Live Nation Stage Experience at the Grand Opera House the following year.
Flower-shop staff member Seymour Krelborn will be played by Richard Blackburn, last seen on a York stage as Gaston in York Light Opera Company’s Beauty And The Beast at the Theatre Royal in February 2010.
Other leads will be Eric Daines as florist shop owner Mr Mushnik, Alexa Chaplin as Ronette and Jen Summers as Crystal.
Should you need a reminder, Little Shop Of Horrors is the story of down-on-his-luck, downtown florist shop assistant Seymour stumbling upon a strange and exotic new plant that could change his fortune forever.
It features such songs as Suddenly Seymour and Somewhere That’s Green, sung in the Sixties’ girl group style of The Ronettes, The Chiffons and The Supremes.
Little Shop Of Horrors runs at Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York, from tomorrow to Saturday at 7.30pm, plus a 2.30pm Saturday matinee. Not suitable for children aged under eight. Box office: 01904 623568 or online at yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
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