Little Shop of Horrors
★★★★★ Pitch perfect.
Braw Venues @ Hill Street (Venue 41): Fri 1 – Sun 24 Aug 2025
Review by Emily Geeson
With an incredibly strong cast giving stand out performances all around, Sound Events Scotland’s Little Shop of Horrors at Braw Venues @ Hill Street for a full run of the Fringe is a guaranteed treat for audiences both old and new.
From the moment the first singers skip down to the stage, the entire performance has an electric energy to it, thanks to the canny direction of Becca Phillips. It is completed with synchronised dance numbers and impeccable comedic timing displayed throughout by each of the eight performers.
A scene from Little Shop of Horrors. Pic: supplied.
Morgan Flannigan as Seymour is a particular treat, balancing the role of pining twenty-something with that of the awkward assistant being pushed further down Audrey II’s rabbit hole, with a deft touch.
Kiera O’Neill conveys a vulnerability and poise in her role as Audrey, and yet it is easy to understand why she’s stayed with the sadistic Orin (Charlie Corliss) for this entire time. And as for Corliss, from the moment he bounds onto stage, he conveys a swaggering machismo that makes him perfectly cast as the villain you just love to hate.
unexpectedly delicate dance moves
The singing throughout is pitch perfect, with Audrey and Seymour’s duet of ‘Suddenly Seymour’ a standout moment. ‘Mushnick and Son’ is another fantastic rendition, with Adam Gallagher as the titular Mushnick. He plays the old florist owner with a comic grace and unexpectedly delicate dance moves, while conjuring a crabby grumpiness that elevates every scene that he’s in.
Samuel Martin as Audrey II does a spectacular job of belting out song after song, particularly as much of his work is done as a voice actor throughout. With crystal clear vocals from behind the monstrous plant that seems to grow each time it appears, his standing ovation is well earned.
A scene from Little Shop of Horrors. Pic: supplied.
And last but certainly not least, the doo-wop singers (or ‘street urchins’) are by no means just a background chorus. Lisa Bowie (Crystal), Charlotte Howgego (Ronette), and Kirsty Allan (Chiffon), are a trio of fantastic singers whose constant energy and expressive movement helps keep the tempo alive throughout.
All in all, this is a quality production of Little Shop of Horrors, sure to be a hit with musical fans all around. With a talented cast sure to be going places, it offers two hours of straight entertainment – but remember, don’t feed the plants…
Running time: Two hours (including one interval).
Braw Venues @ Hill Street (Alba Theatre), 19 Hill St EH2 3JP (Venue 41).
Friday 1 – Sunday 24 August 2025.
Daily: 11.30am.
Tickets and details: Book here on EdFringe.com.
ENDS
