Based on the popular American off-Broadway production and later the film starring Rick Moranis, many pupils in this year’s Ewell Castle School musical production of ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ said it was the best musical  they had been it to date! 

With music by Disney favourite Alan Menken and book/lyrics by Howard Ashman, ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ is the  dark comedy, rock musical tale of Seymour, a geeky orphan flower shop worker on skid row who is secretly in love with his fellow shop worker Audrey, despite her having a sadistic dentist boyfriend. 

The unsuccessful shop is on the verge of closing, but then Audrey persuades Seymour to display one of his new and unusual plants in the window, this draws lots of attention, bringing in new customers which results in the shop being saved from closure.  Seymour, however soon discovers that his special plant needs human blood to grow and thrive, so having exhausted his own supply of blood he arranges for several characters to meet untimely ends and literally disappear into the plant which has by this stage been named Audrey II.

The original film starred Rick Moranis, Steve Martin and Bill Murray, Christopher Guest and John Candy, the Ewell Castle School production’s principal cast featured Zac Conibear as Seymour, Evie Lambert as Audrey, Naym Ali as Mr Mushnik, Thomas Hall as Orin Scrivello and Ted Boulting-Williams as the voice of Audrey II.

Musical numbers included “Grow for me”, “Somewhere that’s green”, “Dentist”, Little Shop of Horrors” as well as “Suddenly Seymour” and showcased the singing talents of the principal cast members along with; Belle Shipkolye, Athena Droutis, Eleanor Barnes, Darcy Kenny and Ella Collett who together made up the group of girls called “The Doo-Wops”.

Principal Silas Edmonson commented “Ewell Castle School is renowned locally for the high quality of its Performing Arts and this musical production, our fourth at Epsom Playhouse showcased our talented cast brilliantly.  They not only sang superbly but displayed tremendous acting ability for young people aged between 11 and 17.  Pupils were also involved backstage in the technical team including lighting, sound, props, wardrobe and makeup.  The production provided pupils with the experience of performing in a professional theatre which builds their self-confidence, collaborative skills and their well-being.”

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 Carol Hernandez - Marketing and Development Manager, Ewell Castle School

Tel:  0208 394 3578     Email: c.hernandez@ewellcastle.co.uk   

Photos provided by and copyright of Andy Carter Email:  andy@ashtead.org