July 25, 2016
Theatre-goers can expect a little bit of horror when they go along to the South Burnett Musical Comedy Society’s annual production this year … but it’s all in good fun.
This year the SBMCS is staging “Little Shop Of Horrors”, a comedy rock musical about a hapless florist shop worker who raises a plant that feeds on human beings.
The main characters are Seymour Krelborn, who runs the florist shop for his overbearing boss Mr Mushnik, and Seymour’s love interest Audrey, who wants to leave her abusive dentist boyfriend Orin.
The show’s music, composed by Alan Menken in early 1960s rock and roll, doo-wop and Motown styles, includes several well-known tunes.
As the play goes on, the plant steadily grows bigger and hungrier, eating one character after another … but you’ll have to see the show to find out who (if anyone) survives.
Little Shop Of Horrors was inspired by a low-budget black comedy film directed by Roger Corman in 1960, and was first performed at New York’s Orpheum Theatre Off-Broadway in 1982.
When it closed in 1987 after 2209 performances, it was the third-longest running musical and the highest-grossing production in Off-Broadway history
It was also made into a 1986 film of the same name, directed by Frank Oz.
SBMCS members have been rehearsing their own version of the production for several months and on Sunday were busy putting the final touches to their stage sets and street banners, as well as rehearsing their lines.
Director Warren Wintour said he was looking forward to presenting this year’s production, and regulars should notice a definite lift in quality standards.
“Andrew Beckett will be handling our sound system this year, and we’ve called in special expertise for the lighting as well,” Warren said.
“We want to give audiences a bit of a thrill, and we have a few other surprises in store, too.”
“Little Shop Of Horrors” will be performed at Kingaroy Town Hall on Friday and Saturday, August 26-27 at 7:30pm, followed by a matinee performance at 2:00pm on Sunday, August 28.
Three more performances will be held the following Friday, September 2 at 7:30pm, and Saturday, September 3 at 2:00pm and 7:30pm.
Tickets for the evening performances are $25 for adults, $20 for pensioners and $15 for children, while all matinee tickets are $15.
They can be obtained from Kingaroy Office Central in Haly Street, Kingaroy and also from the Wondai and Murgon newsagencies.
This year – for the first time ever – the SBMCS will also be offering tickets online.
