This iconic monster musical has confirmed a Canberra season
Posted on
Blending B-movie mayhem, outrageous comedy, and jaw-dropping puppetry with a killer score of ’60s pop, doo-wop, and rock ‘n’ roll, Little Shop of Horrors has been a cult classic since it first debuted on the silver screen.
It first premiered as a stage musical in 1982, adapted from Roger Corman’s 1960 low-budget dark comedy film. Over four decades later, the monstrous musical has devoured new generations of fans, becoming a permanent powerhouse on the stage.
And now it’s sinking its teeth into the Canberra Theatre Centre.
Recently confirming a national tour, the smash hit production has just announced it will be coming to Canberra from 31 May 2027.
Woodward Productions Founder and Producer Alex Woodward says he’s excited to tour this new, full-scale Australian version of Little Shop of Horrors, following its sell-out season at Brisbane’s QPAC earlier this year.
“Little Shop of Horrors was one of the first shows I’d seen that had me completely rapt. It had that same effect on audiences when we staged it in Brisbane, so we can’t wait for Australia to experience the magic mix of elaborate plant puppetry and a deranged dentist that has garnered such a cult following for more than 40 years,” says Woodward.
“Audiences are in for a potent nostalgia hit that is very camp, ridiculously fun and slightly gory.”
Want to know what fans are screaming about? It’s all about ambition, greed, and the terrifying cost of getting everything you ever wanted.
Equal parts hilarious, camp, and sci-fi horror, the dark comedy musical sees nerdy florist Seymour Krelborn stumble upon a new breed of plant at Mushnik’s flailing flower shop on Skid Row. Naming it ‘Audrey II’ after his co-worker crush, Seymour soon discovers the foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivorous plant has sinister intentions.
Canberra Theatre Centre Executive Director, Georgia Hendy, says that she’s thrilled to bring one of musical theatre’s most beloved cult classics to the local stage.
“Against all advice, we can’t wait to invite Canberra audiences to feed the plant. Little Shop of Horrors is a theatrical phenomenon that combines laugh-out-loud comedy, iconic songs and astonishing puppetry into one unforgettable experience.”
“We encourage audiences to get in early, because this is a show you won’t want to miss.”
With Music by Alan Menken and Book and Lyrics by Howard Ashman, Music Supervisor David Young (Frozen) and Musical Director Heidi Loveland (Carrie: The Musical) will lead a six-piece band through Little Shop of Horrors’ blend of 60s pop, doo-wop and R&B, delivering unforgettable earworms like Suddenly Seymour, Feed Me (Git It) and Dentist!.
Designer Penny Challen, Lighting Designer Declan O’Neil and Choreographer Dan Venz will illuminate the gleeful allure of the American Dream in 1960s New York, B-Movie kitsch and meaningful silliness that is synonymous with Little Shop of Horrors.
Keep an eye out; the full cast for the tour of Little Shop of Horrors will be announced soon.
Pre-sale tickets go on sale from 10 am on Monday 26 October before being released to the general public from Thursday 29 October.
THE ESSENTIALS
What: Little Shop of Horrors
When: From 31 May 2027
Where: Canberra Theatre Centre, City
Tickets + more information: canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Images supplied.
