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Little Shop of Horrors
EVERYONE'S favourite tale about flesh-eating plants is heading to Sunderland with a star-studded cast. MARISSA CARRUTHERS caught up with former Eastenders nasty man Alex Ferns to find out more.
A TOP tale coupled with a top cast is a recipe for success.
And that's why Menier Chocolate Factory's Little Shop of Horrors has attracted rave reviews up and down the country since hitting the road six weeks ago.
Alex Ferns, who rose to fame in the role of wife-beating Trevor Morgan in Eastenders at the turn of the decade, said: "It's going very well so far and the audiences seem to be loving it.
"It'll be great getting back to Sunderland because I was there for Guys and Dolls and the audience were good. We pulled in big houses so hopefully it'll be the same."
For Alex, who has slipped from being the villain in Eastenders to playing the iconic role of sadistic dentist Orin Scrivello – played by Steve Martin in the 1989 film – starring in Little Shop of Horrors is something of a dream.
"I remember when the film came out and it was one of my favourite films," the Scottish actor said.
"When the musical came up I thought 'I'd love to do that' I wanted to do something that involved singing so this seemed like a great role."
He is starring alongside renowned actor and the seventh Dr Who, Sylvester McCoy, as flowershop owner Mushnik, 2.4 Children actress Clare Buckfield as dizzy shop assistant Audrey and Australian-born actor Damian Humbley as shop assistant Seymour.
"The cast are a really good bunch of people," Alex said. "We're all getting on really well with each other so that really helps."
After playing a succession of bad guys and being labelled Britain's most hated soap villain, Alex refuses to be typecast into the role of the baddie, claiming he just "takes whatever comes his way".
"It's about the character and it's all about doing something I want to do, whether the character's a villain or not.
"I tend to take whatever comes my way."
Little Shop of Horrors follows the tale of down-and-out Skid Row floral assistant Seymour who becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers an exotic plant with a mysterious craving for fresh blood.
It doesn't take long for "Audrey II" to grow into an ill-tempered, foul-mouthed, R&B singing carnivore offering him fame and fortune in exchange for feeding its growing appetite.
But as Audrey II's hungry demands increase, all that Seymour holds dear is threatened as the plant's sinister agenda for global domination is revealed.
One of the longest-running off-Broadway shows of all time, this affectionate spoof of 1950s sci-fi movies has become a household name, thanks to a highly-successful film version and a score by the song-writing team of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, who also wrote the music and lyrics for Disney's The Little Mermaid, Beauty and The Beast and Aladdin.
Charming, tuneful and hilarious, with tongue firmly planted in cheek, this Olivier-nominated production of Little Shop of Horrors is a must-see treat for all the family.
LITTLE Shop of Horrors lands at the Sunderland Empire from Monday, April 13, until Saturday, April 18.
For tickets, which cost 10.50 to 29.50, call 0844 847 2499 or go to www.SunderlandEmpire.org.uk
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Friday 10 February 2012
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