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Arena Theatre Regent Centre Christchurch November 2002 Arena last performed this salutary tale of horticultural misfortune some ten years ago, and had been vowing to repeat it ever since. Thank goodness they did, because this particular blast from the past – production team John King (director), Jonathan Spratt (musical director) and Michelle Guy (choreographer) – is a wow, and I wouldn’t have missed it for anything. Quite how they found such a perfect cast is as mysterious as the existence of Audrey II itself, but there can never have been a more geeky-looking Seymour as the brilliant Ross Aldred, nor such a not-quite-so-dumb-blonde-as-she-looks Audrey as 17 year old Emma Purchase, making an outstanding principal debut. Gareth Richards’ shopkeeper Mushnik is also excellently characterised, and Rob Walker’s gassed-up dentist, Orin, is the epitome of the villain we all love to hate. Chorus work is great as well, particularly the 6-girl ‘backing group’, and singing is first-class. There are fantastic costumes and sets too, and as for that plant – have an extra feed, John King and Ian Knight, for bringing it so well to life. Linda Kirkman Courtesy of the Bournemouth Daily Echo |
