Tuesday, 11 November 2014

Royal Exchange: Little Shop of Horrows


LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
Book and lyrics by Howard Ashman
Music by Alan Menken
Based on the film by Roger Corman with a screenplay by Charles Griffith 
Directed by Derek Bond
Designed by James Perkins 
Royal Exchange Theatre
St Ann’s Square, Manchester
Friday 5 December 2014 – Saturday 31 January 2015   

An extra two weeks of performances have been confirmed for the Royal Exchange Theatre’s Christmas production of hit musical comedy LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. 

Huge demand for tickets at the box office now means the production will run from Friday 5 December 2014 to Saturday 31 January 2015. 

This follows the recent record breaking success of HAMLET – the company’s fastest selling show in a decade – which saw an extra week of shows added to its run.  

Fuelled by Faust and fertiliser, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS is a charming, kooky and hilarious 1950s musical sci-fi spoof. With a book and lyrics by Howard Ashman, music by Alan Menken and based on the film by Roger Corman with a screenplay by Charles Griffith, it is one of the longest running off-Broadway shows of all time. 

The action centres on down and out florist’s assistant Seymour who becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers an exotic plant with a macabre craving. He is secretly in love with his colleague, Audrey and names the plant Audrey Two in her honour.

Audrey Two has plans that are far greater than Seymour can imagine as it grows into a bad-tempered, foul-mouthed carnivore who offers fame and fortune in exchange for feeding its growing appetite.  

The production is directed by rising star Derek Bond, whose recent credits include MICROCOSM (Soho Theatre 2014), LOST IN YONKERS (Watford Palace Theatre, 2012) and the award winning FLOYD COLLINS (Southwark Playhouse, 2012 - Time Out Critics’ Choice and Best Musical Production at the Off West End Awards in 2013).   

He said:
'Our Little Shop of Horrors will be a gory, scary, glitter and sequins treat for all the family. The Royal Exchange’s in the round theatre will be sure to provide a brilliant arena for a musical spectacular this Christmas.' 

The cast includes Kelly Price, as Audrey, whose previous Royal Exchange credits include THAT DAY WE SANG (for which she was nominated for a MTA Award) and whose other recent theatre credits include ONE MAN TWO GUVNORS (National Theatre, Theatre Royal Haymarket); COMPANY (Sheffield Crucible) and STEPPING OUT (Sailsbury Playhouse) and PERCHANCE TO DREAM (Finborough Theatre); and Gunnar Cauthery, as Seymour, who makes his first Royal Exchange appearance in this production and whose other recent theatre work includes WONDERLAND, THE EMPTY QUARTER (Hampstead Theatre); PRIVACY (Donmar Warehouse) and THIS HOUSE, THE WHITE GUARD (National Theatre). 

The cast also includes James Charlton, Ibinabo Jack, CJ Johnson, Ako Michell, Joelle Moses, Sévan Stephan, Nuno Silva and Ellena Vincent.   

The production is designed by James Perkins and the creative team is completed by Richard Howell (lighting design), Richard Brooker (sound design), Toby Olie (puppetry design and direction) and Tim Jackson (musical direction and choreography).   

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS was originally produced by the WPA Theatre (Kyle Renick, Producing Director); originally produced at the Orpheum Theatre, New York City by the WPA Theatre, David Geffen, Cameron Mackintosh and the Shubert Organization and presented by arrangement with JOSEF WEINBERGER LMITED on behalf of MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL of New York. 

PRESS NIGHT for LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS is on Tuesday 9 December. For further information, images, or for interview / press review ticket requests, please contact JOHN GOODFELLOW (Press & Communications Manager) on 0161 615 6783 / john.goodfellow@royalexchange.co.uk   

Production photos will be available to download from Monday 8 December at www.royalexchange.co.uk/press 

Further information also available online at www.royalexchange.co.uk/littleshop   

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS - Listings Information 

The Royal Exchange Theatre presents

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS

Book and lyrics by Howard Ashman

Music by Alan Menken

Based on the film by Roger Corman with a screenplay by Charles Griffith

Directed by Derek Bond

Designed by James Perkins

The Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester

Friday 5 December – Saturday 31 January

Evening Performance Times:

Monday – Friday, 7.30pm; Saturday, 8pm (Friday 26 December, 8pm)

Matinee Performance Times:

Wednesdays, 2.30pm; Saturday 3.30pm (no matinee Saturday 6 December)

Extra matinees: Tuesday 23 December, 2.30pm, Friday 26 December, 3.30pm

Half Price Preview: Friday 5 December

Press Night: Tuesday 9 December, 7.30pm

Ticket Prices: Standard tickets from £15 (Concessions Available), Banquette tickets £10, Half price previews from £7.50

Audio-described Performance: Saturday 10 January, 3.30pm

BSL Interpreted Performance: Tuesday 13 January, 7.30pm

Captioned Performance: Tuesday 6 January, 7.30pm

After-show Discussion: Thursday 8 January (after 7.30pm performance)

Backstage Tour: Wednesday 10 December, 11am

Box Office: 0161 833 9833.

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