Off-Broadway production Little Shop of Horrors will hit the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre stage this weekend.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Wollongong-based theatre company So Popera Productions, who are behind the show, are looking forward to returning to the IPAC after staging two successful seasons of musical Avenue Q.
The show will run for eight days, kicking off on Friday, with the opening weekend expected to bring in a full house.
The musical is set in a flower shop in New York where the lead character pricks his finger on a large plant, Audrey II, used to attract customers to the store.
Once the plant is given the taste of human blood, it can only survive if it gets more.
Director Amy Copeland described the ‘‘black comedy’’ as one for the whole family.
‘‘Older audience members enjoy the tongue-in-cheek humour while the younger ones enjoy the spectacle of a plant singing R&B,’’ she said.
‘‘The movie itself was a cult classic and the production is a direct display of the movie with the same dialogue and [musical] numbers.’’
As most scenes take place in a florist, the production team found it difficult to manoeuvre the action to the front of the stage.
To combat this, a revolving section of stage was built.
Designed by Tim Hawkins from Rotation Automation, the revolving set is the first of its kind in Australia.
‘‘There are other elements of the set that are also automated,’’ Ms Copeland said.
‘‘While one part is revolving other parts of the set are moving at the same time.
‘‘The show and set comes to life.’’