Classic horror tale comes to the Mercury Theatre, Colchester

Full casting has been announced for a major new production of Little Shop of Horrors, opening at the Mercury Theatre on May 27.

Ben Stott (Wicked, West End and Sweeney Todd, West Yorkshire Playhouse) will play Seymour, the down and out shop worker who becomes an overnight sensation when he grows a plant that feeds on fresh blood.

The love of his life, Audrey, is played by Frances McNamee (Love’s Labour’s Lost, RSC and Pride and Prejudice at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.)

Shop owner Mushnik will be played by Simeon Truby (Sweeney Todd, West End) and Jez Unwin (Once, Ghost, Top Hat) plays the sadistic dentist Orin.

Gareth Cassidy, Leon Craig, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Karis Jack, Andrew London, Frances Mayli McCann and Carole Stennett complete the cast.

Little Shop of Horrors is the second co-production between Mercury Theatre Colchester and Salisbury Playhouse. Last summer they co-produced the regional premiere of Betty Blue Eyes which was followed by a national tour.

This production will be directed by Gareth Machin, artistic director at Salisbury Playhouse and designed by James Button with Richard Reeday as musical director.