“Little Shop”, based on Roger Corman’s 1960 cult black comedy, is a favorite of audiences and theatre groups alike. With a small cast and catchy but undemanding musical numbers, the story of put-upon florist Seymour Krelborn and his bloodthirsty alien plant can be anything from the spectacular 1986 movie to low budget student theatre.
First Minute Productions’ show is very much in the latter category. Using a black and mostly empty set, much is left to the audiences’ imagination, including the realization of Audrey II. From it’s beginnings as a prehensile green glove, it mutates into a lycra wearing performer in a trashcan before absorbing more actors and becoming a kind of Lovecraftian horror with many writhing green limbs. Despite lacking an actual ‘fly trap’ mouth, this is nicely done.
Seymour and love-interest Audrey are cute together and, but for an Audrey II that lacks charisma, the small cast are reasonable. However, in general the singing is uneven and in some of the busier numbers the leads can be drowned out by louder supporting voices.
Highlights are the very energetic “Mushnik & Son” and “Don’t feed the plants!” which closes the show and has Audrey II and spawn attacking the audience. It’s in these moments and a handful of other ‘participatory’ scenes that the cast seem to be having the most fun and you wonder why more opportunities weren’t created to support that.
Still, it’s hard to get it completely wrong and this is fun but ultimately unspectacular.
3/5 
Scott McKellar
