Introduction
Not so long time ago, I had an opportunity to see and enjoy the play named “Little Shop of Horrors” based on on of the most beloved horror comedy movies of 90s. “Little Shop of Horrors” is the play staged in the local theatre of the University of Toledo by the Department of Theatre and Film.
When I saw the advertisement of the play for the first time, I was really terrified, wondering whether it is just a coincidence that the story has the same title as the movie, but the poster is very scary unlike the movie that was quite funny.
At the first sight, the performance space looks boring, but seeing the interaction between the perfect play of actors and the originality and creativity of the decorations made me think that I was beamed into that time and the exact shop where the story took place. The reason we wanted to see this exact play is that we have seen the movie the play is based on. Seeing the movie, it will be much easier to compare both of the works and perceive the information, the play wants to deliver.
Review
The story may be interpreted as a horror comedy as we may notice that the serious events are interrelated with the funny dialogues, vigorous songs, comedy situations and occasions that happens to the main heroes of the play. So the play that is supposed to close the theatre season is directed by the professor of theatre Edmund Lingan (Brickey, 2016). The plot of the Little Shop of Horrors goes around the life of shop assistant who encounter an extraordinary wild plant that likes to eat flesh and seek for the conquering the world and eating everything it sees. As far as we know, this plant is an alien, but the main hero names it after his eternal love Audrey. And the irony is that the real boyfriend of Audrey becomes the first real victim of plant-Audrey being eaten alive.
Another important thing I am impressed with is the depiction and decoration of the plant, as it is very hard to depict an alien of plant origin on the stage, having the limit for budget and make it looks realistic and persuasive.
We should emphasize the professional level of directing and acting as both these actions made a very good impression and really persuaded the visitors in what were happening on the stage during the scene. The fascinating set was designed by the university designer Stephen Sakowski who is also responsible for the beautiful game of light. In spite of the decorations being too modern for the depiction of that time, the designer succeeds in bringing us to that time and making us believe that such adventure is really happening.
The trustful play of actors Nolan Thomaswick, Ashley Roark, Preston Wilson, who made me enjoy the play with the help of their charisma and the ability to fuse and harmonize the elements of terrifying horror and satirical comedy ("UT Opens Little Shop of Horrors in April", 2016).
I strongly recommend you to go and watch the play until the season is not over. I guarantee you, that you will not find such live emotions during the process of watching the movie as from this play. If you want to get out of the everyday routine and fall into the magical noir world of the Little Shop of Horrors.
Works Cited
Brickey, S. (2016). ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ wraps up UT season. Toledo Blade. Retrieved 21 April 2016, from http://www.toledoblade.com/Music-Theater-Dance/2016/04/07/Little-Shop-of-Horrors-will-bring-the-University-of-Toledo-department-of-theater-and-film-s-current-season-to-an-exciting-close.html
UT Opens Little Shop of Horrors in April. (2016). Toledo.com. Retrieved 21 April 2016, from http://www.toledo.com/news/2016/03/22/daily-dose/ut-opens-little-shop-of-horrors-in-april/
