One of the city’s top theatre companies York Stage makes its debut at York Theatre Royal from 14-23 July with a brand new production featuring a mean-green-musical-monster in Little Shop of Horrors.
The company’s Theatre Royal debut coincides with the 40th anniversary of the hit musical featuring a giant man-eating plant.
Flower shop assistant Seymour is looking for a way out of Skid Row, where life is full of dreams and dead ends. When he discovers a mysterious new plant with killer potential, it seems that hope may be on the horizon. Could his new-found fame and fortune win the attention of the girl he adores?
The deviously delicious Broadway and Hollywood sci-fi musical has book and lyrics by Howard Ashman and music by Alan Mencken, the team behind Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin.
This brand new production of Little Shop of Horrors is directed by York Stage’s Nik Briggs, whose past York Stage productions include Calendar Girls the Musical, Elf, Steel Magnolias, Rock of Ages, Ghost and Sister Act. Choreography is by York pantomime favourite Danielle Mullan-Hill and musical direction comes from the acclaimed Stephen Hackshaw (Sister Act, Shrek, Rock of Ages, Ghost, 9-5 The Musical).
Nik Briggs said: “I am so thrilled to be directing and producing Little Shop of Horrors at the fabulous York Theatre Royal. It’s the first time York Stage has brought a show to this beautiful theatre and we can’t wait to share what we’ve been creating with our audiences.
“We have a tremendously talented cast who have been creating stunning work. I am really excited to be bringing another brilliant show to the city for all to enjoy. Exploring this piece in the rehearsal room with the creative team and cast has been a thrilling task.
“Being 40 years old, the world in which we present the show has changed drastically to the one in which it was originally created, so we’ve been making sure we create a bold new production that honours the original while keeping it fresh for a new audience. It has been a lot of fun – we aim to give audiences a night to remember.”
Mikhail Lim plays Seymour. His recent credits with York Stage include Sweaty Eddie in Sister Act and Dennie in Rock of Ages at York Grand Opera House York.
Lauren Sheriston, who plays Audrey, has performed in many York Stage shows including starring as Molly in Ghost, a Diva in Priscilla, Sherrie in Rock of Ages and as Rizzo in Grease, all at York Grand Opera House. Lauren has also appeared in Emmerdale and Eternal Law for ITV.
Emily Ramsden is Audrey II. Emily is a renowned vocalist having played roles such as Dragon in Shrek the Musical and Nancy in Oliver! for York Stage. She has performed across the world on ships and has a busy career as a vocalist for function bands here in the UK.
Hannah Shaw makes her York Stage debut as Crystal in Little Shop of Horrors. Lucy Churchill is Chiffon. A recent graduate of SLP, her credits while training include Bad Girls the Musical.
Cyanne Unamba-Oparah completes the trio of Urchins as Ronnette. Cyanne has just returned to the UK following various engagements in Europe. Previously she has appeared as Mama Bear in Shrek the Musical with York Stage.
In his York Stage debut Darren Lumby plays the Orin. Previously he has performed as Gomez in The Addams Family Musical and as the Prince in Into the Woods (Grand Opera House York).
Returning to the stage following various contracts as musical director, James Robert Ball makes his York Stage debut as Mr Mushnik. Completing the cast are York Stage favourites Jack Hooper, Katie Melia and Danny Western who make up the ensemble for this show as well as controlling the puppetry for Audrey II.
Other creatives include lighting designer Adam Moore, sound designer Joel Suter and hair/make-up Phoebe Kilvington.
Howard Ashman and Alan Menken (Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin) are the creative geniuses behind what has become one of the most popular shows in the world. Little Shop of Horrors is based on a Roger Corman thriller from the 1960s (which featured a young Jack Nicholson). As a musical it has enthralled audiences since its opening off-Broadway in 1982. The 1986 film adaptation had an all-star cast featuring Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, Steve Martin and Bill Murray.
