Latest news with #LittleShopOfHorrors
Irish Times
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Little Shop of Horrors review: Bord Gáis Energy Theatre's first homegrown show is a sure-footed take on the cult musical
Little Shop of Horrors Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin ★★★★☆ It's a rare piece of dramatic art that dispenses with every lead character by the curtain call, but Howard Ashman and Alan Menken's Little Shop of Horrors is unusual in many ways. With its unlikely cast of sadistic dentists, sidewalk bums, stoop-sitters and man-hungry plants, it situates itself firmly on the dark and shadowy side of the street. As the dumb but darling Audrey (Jacqueline Brunton, euphonious) puts it, 'You don't meet nice guys on Skid Row.' Yet what about the bumbling botanist who sleeps under the counter at Mr Mushnik's Flower Shop? Seymour (David O'Reilly, endearing) may not have deep pockets, but he does have green fingers with which he can turn his tribute flytrap, Audrey II (voiced by Kenneth O'Regan), into gold. There is a Grimm lesson here worthy of any age-old fairy tale: where personal ambition is concerned, there are always sacrifices to be made. [ Dublin's biggest theatre is staging its first production. Will its Little Shop of Horrors pull off a coup? Opens in new window ] In this first, admirable home-grown production from Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, collaborating with Theatreworx, no such sacrifices are visible to the audience. Maree Kearns's sweeping Skid Row set spares us no grimy detail, with a revolving floor facilitating easy shifts between indoor and outdoor settings, including the blood-spattered horror show of Dr Orin's pleasure palace. Performances too are very strong. Garry Mountaine's Mr Mushnik is part mensch, part schmuck, leaning into the klezmer cadences of Ya Never Know. Johnny Ward's Orin is a seedy comic tour de force. Playing the key collective role of the story-setting chorus, Ghaliah Conroy, Precious Abimbola and Aoife Dunne do more than justice to the dominating doo-wop rhythms of Menken's score. READ MORE Little Shop of Horrors: David O'Reilly and Garry Mountaine Little Shop of Horrors: Precious Abimbola, Ghaliah Conroy and Aoife Dunne David Hayes, the production's musical director, maintains measured control over the shifting musical styles, although issues with sound levels and mics on opening night swallow some of O'Reilly's solo vocals. Claire Tighe, directing, is sure-footed in her vision of the cult material, leaning firmly into its campest qualities, as Audrey II grows and gets hungrier and hungrier. Chris Corroon's puppetry does too. It goes for Jim Henson-style theatricality more than realism, which makes the dark denouement far more palatable. Those schooled on Frank Oz's 1986 film may be surprised to realise that Somewhere That's Green has more than one interpretation, as John Gallagher's lurid lighting for the finale makes clear. But, following the logic of life and legends, it was never going to end any other way. Little Shop of Horrors is at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre , Dublin, until Saturday, August 9th
The Irish Sun
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Mum got shock diagnosis in darkest days, now we face new challenge on 1st day in mega role, says Fair City's Johnny Ward
ACTOR Johnny Ward will take to the stage in Little Shop Of Horrors next week - but he will be wracked with nerves for a completely different reason. The 7 Johnny Ward with his beloved mum Kathy who will attend the opening night of Little Shop Of Horrors 7 Johnny told how he channels his pain into his work Credit: Alamy 7 The show will run at Dublin's Bord Gais Energy Theatre for several weeks 7 Johnny with supportive wife Brenda The 38-year-old told the Irish Sun: "Tuesday is going to be a strange day because we are going to get the results from St Vincent's Hospital about whether a lump my mother found is cancerous or benign and what the next six months will hold." That evening as Johnny is processing the results, the musical will have its opening night in Dublin. Johnny will play the role of the demented dentist Orin Scrivello, made famous by Steve Martin in the movie of the same name. He told us: "This might sound strange, but this is like doing "I want to work in situations like this because I find it strangely therapeutic, in that dancing or acting helps me to escape the pain I'm feeling." 'I WAS GRIEVING' The Johnny said: "I should have taken mum's condition more seriously, but I guess I was grieving myself. "Then lockdown happened, and mum got Speaking of the close bond between mother and son, Johnny said he would always be there for Kathy, who encouraged him to follow his dream and become an actor when he was young. 7 Proud said he'll be there for Kathy no matter what The TV star revealed how he feared he had lost her last year when he got a call to say Kathy was unresponsive in St Vincent's Hospital. However, she has staged a comeback since, so much so that she will be in the Docklands theatre next Tuesday to support him on his opening night, alongside his wife Brenda who he says has 'DARKEST DAYS' Johnny said: "In the darkest days of last year, I never thought we would come so far. "Mum came out of the convalescent home in March and has been making steady progress with us since. "It's the little things that you notice, like she wouldn't know whether you turn left or right for the bathroom at home. "But she really is an incredible woman." Meanwhile, Johnny was thrilled to land a major role in the groundbreaking new production, the first full-scale musical theatre production produced in-house by the Bord Gais Energy Theatre, in partnership with TheatreworX. He said: "I had to do three auditions, then I got the call to come in and meet the other cast. "We've been rehearsing for the past four weeks, and it really is something special." The Walkinstown man is thrilled to be playing sadistic dentist Orin Scrivello in the new production, a role made famous by Steve Martin in the original 1986 movie. Johnny revealed his own experience of suffering at the dentist as a child. He said: "When I was about eight-years-old, I had this dentist who really hurt me. "He stuck a needle in me so hard, I kicked him in the balls. "I remember if your visit to the dentist went well, you got a lollipop, but I kicked this guy, so all I remember is that I got a new dentist really quickly." 'COOLEST THING' But his molars survived, and he had a good enough set of teeth to land a gig in Boyzonly, a Johnny previously told us: "There wasn't a lot of dancing, really, just a step and a click performing No Matter What. "But for about three or four years, we thought we were the coolest thing. "It got very difficult soon after because I was Stephen Gately, and when he came out, I was in an all-boys' school. "I meet the other guys from the tribute the odd time in the pub, and we remember Boyzonly." However, he soon progressed to serious musical theatre, then winning roles in Love/Hate and Johnny's next TV part is in the Amazon Prime drama Suga: Ride or Die, out this September, in which he plays a hitman sent to Holland to recover a gangster debt. He said: "The other actors are literally talking Dutch, but all my lines are in English." 'TOTALLY DIFFERENT' Playing the second lead in Little Shop of Horrors couldn't be further from his last stage role, playing Gino Wildes, the star of the Dublin football team, in Copper Face Jacks: The Musical. Johnny said: "Yes, it's totally different from that. For one thing, Little Shop of Horrors is not set in Copper Face Jacks." Other big names in Little Shop of Horrors include David O'Reilly, who stars as the hapless florist Seymour Krelborn, opposite Jacqueline Brunton, a rising star of musical theatre, who takes on the role of the sweet and soulful Audrey. Producers have hailed the new musical, featuring an entirely Irish cast and creative team, as a landmark moment for Irish musical theatre and a bold new chapter for the theatre itself. The casting process began back in December 2024, with over 2,000 hopefuls applying from across the country. Following an intensive audition process, the list was whittled down to 150 talented finalists who auditioned in January 2025. The final cast showcases a dynamic blend of established names and emerging talent, making this a truly exciting production for audiences to experience. 'TRULY OVERWHELMED' The cast were in full bloom this week as they came together for their very first official group photo at iconic Dublin flower shop Howbert and Mays. Surrounded by vibrant foliage and floral charm, the moment marked a fresh beginning for the production. Speaking at the cast launch, Stephen Faloon, General Manager of the Bord Gais Energy Theatre, said: 'We were truly overwhelmed by the extraordinary wealth of talent that came forward during the audition process. "What we witnessed throughout was every bit as strong as the calibre we've come to expect from the biggest West End productions that have graced our stage. "It's a proud and significant moment for us to announce this phenomenal cast, made up of both established and emerging Irish talent. "We are confident that audiences are in for something really special in this bold, high-energy and unforgettable production of Little Shop of Horrors this summer." Little Shop of Horrors runs until August 9. For more information, check out 7 Johnny dances with Emily Barker on Dancing With The Stars in 2019 Credit: Kyran O'Brien 7 Johnny as Ciaran Holloway on Fair City
Forbes
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
NYT Mini Hints For Saturday, July 12: Today's Extra Clues And Answers
Answers for today's NYT Mini Crossword are just ahead. Before we get to today's NYT Mini crossword hints, clues and answers, here are Friday's: Wondering what a left-leaning social media site may be? Not sure what the last word in many bowling alley names is? Don't worry, because I'm here to help you with extra hints and the answers for today's NYT Mini crossword. The NYT Mini is a quick and dirty version of the newspaper's larger and long-running crossword. Most days, there are between three and five clues in each direction on a five by five grid, but the puzzles are sometimes larger, especially on Saturdays. Unlike its larger sibling, the NYT Mini crossword is free to play on the New York Times website or NYT Games app. However, you'll need an NYT Games subscription to access previous puzzles in the archives. Here are extra hints and the official NYT Mini Crossword clues and answers for Saturday, July 12: Spoilers lie ahead, so remember to scroll slowly: NYT Mini Crossword Hints 1 Across: Academy Award-winning actor _____ Gooding Jr. 5 Across: Rows on a highway 6 Across: 'I can only get ___ ____ done in a day' 7 Across: Up on a cloudless day 8 Across: The heroine in Little Shop of Horrors 9 Across: It typically comes in loafs 10 Across: Important yearly details for loans 1 Down: Image capturers 2 Down: Still in the packaging 3 Down: Lynch, Ann Baker and Tom Saywer's crush 4 Down: A pale greyish color 5 Down: Turn it up 6 Down: Loudly ingest soup 7 Down: Ali ___ famously said 'open sesame' NYT Mini Crossword Clues And Answers 1 Across: Havana's home – CUBA 5 Across: Last word in many bowling alley names – LANES 6 Across: Lots and lots – SO MUCH 7 Across: Left-leaning social media site – BLUESKY 8 Across: Hepburn of Breakfast at Tiffany's – AUDREY 9 Across: Word after "break" or "banana" – BREAD 10 Across: Car loan figs. – APRS 1 Down: They always shoot their shot – CAMERAS 2 Down: Brand-new – UNUSED 3 Down: Woman with "the good hair," in a famous Beyoncé lyric – BECKY 4 Down: In need of moisturizer – ASHY 5 Down: "We can't hear you back here!" – LOUDER 6 Down: Drink noisily – SLURP 7 Down: ___ ghanouj – BABA Completed New York Times Mini crossword for Saturday, July 12. It took me 2:05 to complete today's NYT Mini. Not a horrible time for a Saturday Mini! On my first pass of the Across words, I only got CUBA, BLUESKY and AUDREY. I think the clue for 7 Across is perhaps too broad of a generalization of that platform, but it is what it is. Moving to the Down direction, I only missed CAMERAS and UNUSED there. The answers that I did find helped me clean things up on the Across direction. See you tomorrow for more NYT Mini fun! Make sure to follow my blog for more coverage of the NYT Mini and other word games, as well as video game news, insights and analysis. It helps me out a lot! Want to chat about the Mini, Connections and other NYT games? Join my Discord community! And be sure to sign up for my newsletter!
Irish Times
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Dublin's biggest theatre is staging its first production. Will its Little Shop of Horrors pull off a coup?
The first day of rehearsals is always a high-energy event. In the brand-new Theatreworx studio space in Dunboyne , in Co Meath, the floor has been marked with positioning tape, stacks of printed scripts are piled on tables and, tucked into a corner, a model of the set for Little Shop of Horrors sits on a plinth for the newly assembled cast to admire. The set's designer, Maree Kearns , is standing beside the intricate miniature New York streetscape to introduce the performers to the world they will be inhabiting for the next six weeks. There are oohs and ahs as she rotates artfully worn shopfronts and slides in blood-spattered backdrops. Then there are wows for the growing scale of a flesh-eating flower, as Kearns marks out the scene change for them. The ensemble of 16 know that the real main character of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken 's comedy-horror musical isn't Seymour, the hapless florist, or Audrey, his simpering colleague, or Mr Mushnik, boss of the bouquet emporium. It is Audrey II, the voracious Venus flytrap that, by the musical's end, looks set for world domination. The cast also know that the work they're doing has more significance than simply what the audience will see on stage at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre towards the end of the month. As Stephen Faloon , who runs the Dublin venue, and is one of the producers, reminds them in his introductory remarks, 'Our job is to show audiences that musical theatre has a home here in Ireland.' READ MORE Little Shop of Horrors: Cast members Jacqueline Brunton, David O'Reilly, Johnny Ward and Ghaliah Conroy with a model of the set, designed by Maree Kearns, for the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre's first in-house production. Photograph: Brian McEvoy Faloon has been at the helm of the theatre – the Republic's largest – since it opened in 2010, overseeing the programming and installation of countless visiting West End shows. Little Shop of Horrors is altogether different. It is the venue's first homegrown production, and Faloon is buzzing with excitement. 'We were built as a receiving house,' he explains. 'Our remit is to bring the best of the West End and Broadway to Dublin. But I have always thought there should be no reason why we can't celebrate our own talent too.' Independent producers have brought several Irish shows to the theatre over the years, among them Paul Howard's satirical Anglo: The Musical and Adam Powell and Paul Hurt's Angela's Ashes: The Musical , but during the pandemic Faloon was inspired to consider investing in a full-scale production that the theatre might build from the ground up. 'The idea really started in 2021, when we got some money from the government to get artists back to work. We did a concert version of West Side Story, employing 73 Irish artists. Because of restrictions, we could only do a show for an audience of 50 – in a house of more than 2,000. It was ludicrous, really. 'But what was remarkable about it was the wealth of Irish talent, [many of whom] were working abroad – one of the lead actors from The Lion King, the assistant musical director from The Book of Mormon – because there was no indigenous work in musical theatre here. That kernel of truth stayed with me. It has taken a few years to grow into something. But, finally, here we are.' His colleague Claire Tighe , who is the production's director and choreographer, as well as a coproducer, says: 'We really do have the most amazing Irish talent working in musical theatre all across the world, on and off stage, but those creatives don't get very much opportunity to work in Ireland. 'Musical theatre is very difficult to mount, as it is a heck of a lot more expensive [than regular theatre], so whoever wants to do it really has to go for it, and build partnerships, and that's where this production' – a partnership between the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre and Tighe's Theatreworx – 'comes in. 'It was born out of a desire to bring Irish talent to the stage here, so that we can show Irish audiences that musical theatre culture here is so rich and that we can make shows that are as top tier as anything they have seen at the theatre before. If we can do that, we can get the whole culture to grow legs and develop, and that will change the landscape for the Irish talent that wants to make work here.' Little Shop of Horrors has a particular sentimental significance for both Faloon and Tighe. Faloon saw the original production as a young teenager in the West End in 1983. 'I remember so vividly how it felt to me,' he says. 'It was so much fun. I was transported from the moment it began, completely mesmerised. My dad bought the soundtrack on cassette, and I would get into his car when he got home from work and listen to it while doing my homework.' For Tighe, it was 'the first musical I ever directed. That was back in 2006, for Leixlip Musical & Variety Group , which was where I learned how to be a director before I went into the professional industry. I actually came across my notebook yesterday, with all my notes'. Theatreworx also produces the well-regarded pantomimes at the Helix Theatre, in north Dublin, which have been running since 2008. Panto is a particularly important art form in Ireland, she says, as it 'has historically been the only place with a long enough contract in musical-theatre terms, so it's much sought-after'. As a result, 'you have some amazing professional productions happening around the country, attracting top talent who usually might only get to work in London or the UK'. Tighe's comments resonate strongly with David O'Reilly, who is playing Seymour, alongside Jacqueline Brunton as Audrey. He has several West End shows and UK tours under his belt, including The Book of Mormon and Grease. O'Reilly moved to London to train in 2007, a typical trajectory for aspiring musical-theatre performers. 'It was well known that the training was at a level where you would have access to people with a finger on the pulse of what was happening, teachers who would be going from class to warm-ups in the West End, and that you could easily get into employment after,' he says. Training opportunities 'have changed a lot now, though. Teaching across the board in Ireland has gone through the roof in terms of its delivery, and you are seeing a growth of stage schools with really talented teachers – and that's even before you go on to third level'. Cork School of Music offers a BA in musical theatre; and the Lir , the national academy of dramatic art, in Dublin, offers a BA in acting that includes a substantial section on musicianship and group singing, as well as short musical-theatre courses for professionals. [ The Book of Mormon: 'We put all of these subversive things into a familiar box for people. And we swear a lot' Opens in new window ] Opportunities to work professionally have not kept pace, however. When O'Reilly moved back to Ireland in 2022, he intended to focus on TV and film work. He jumped at the chance to audition for Little Shop of Horrors – Tighe's open call attracted more than 2,000 performers – not least because, as with Faloon and Tighe, the musical represented 'a full-circle moment for me. The last time I was on stage in Ireland was as a teenager, playing Seymour in a production at my stage school, and my audition songs for my musical-theatre course were from Little Shop as well'. He adds that venues such as the Gate , which recently staged productions of Fun Home and The Borrowers , have shown that audiences want to see musical theatre. 'And it is really inspiring, as a performer, to have something being produced on this scale on the same stage where productions like Hamilton or Wicked have been.' Little Shop of Horrors: Puppeteer Chris Corroon with a puppet of Audrey II, the Venus flytrap, for the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre's first in-house production, at Theatreworx studio space in Dunboyne, Co Meath, during rehearsals. Photograph: Brian McEvoy When Chris Corroon, the production's puppeteer, introduces me to several full-sized incarnations of Audrey II in the workshop next door, it really seems as if Little Shop of Horrors could be as visually and technically ambitious as any touring show the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre has hosted. 'It is a big challenge,' Tighe says, 'but I am not afraid of it. We have an incredible team of creatives, some brilliant stalwarts who have loads of musical-theatre experience, as well as some incredible new talent. We have an amazing revolving set that is more than worthy of being on that stage. So we are going to make sure that an audience is not going to think it's in any way less than something that might be flown in from the West End.' Indeed, if anything is scary, Faloon says, it's the role-reversing fact that British producers have been in touch about travelling over to see their Little Shop of Horrors. 'If it is a success – and it will be – the whole landscape for making musical theatre here could change.' Little Shop of Horrors is at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre , Dublin, from Friday, July 25th, until Saturday, August 9th
Sunday World
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
Ex-Love/Hate star Johnny Ward is relishing playing a new ‘psychotic' part
Johnny Ward is relishing his moment on state at the Bord Gais as an evil dentist 'I think this is the most psychotic part I'll ever play,' Johnny tells the Sunday World , referring to his upcoming performance as an evil dentist in the musical Little Shop Of Horrors at Dublin's Bord Gais Energy Theatre. 'Little Shop Of Horrors is a love story about a guy call Seymour who works in a flower shop that's not doing well,' Johnny explains of the 1980s movie and stage production. 'He discovers that one of the plants that he bought from a random man in a Chinese shop eats people. Actors David O Reilly, Johnny Ward and Jacqueline Brunton 'Seymour is attracted to Audrey who works in the shop and, here we go yet again, I'm Audrey's abusive boyfriend Orin, a biker dentist. 'He beats her up and takes great pleasure in getting pain out of a lot of people when doing dental surgery on them.' Johnny's character ultimately meets a grisly end involving the human-eating plant. 'It's a far-fetched story, but it's phenomenal and the music is amazing,' he says. 'The songs I get to perform are Dentist Song, and a duet song with Seymour, played by David O'Reilly, called It's Just The Gas. So I'm really looking forward to it. We start rehearsals on Monday.' The Little Shop Of Horrors role is the latest in Ward's hectic work life, which these days involves teaching young people in drama classes. 'Teaching is my bread and butter and I absolutely love it,' Johnny says. 'On a Monday I teach out in Dizzy Footwork Drama Academy opposite The Square in Tallaght… Tuesdays I'm in a primary school in Wicklow, Wednesday I'm in Cavan, Thursday in Leixlip, Friday I'm in Trim and I'm off Saturday and Sunday. The cast of the Little Shop of Horrors musical 'Thankfully the people that I work for are like brothers and sisters to me and when something acting-wise comes up they provide cover for me. They are very accommodating. 'Usually at this time of the year I do summer camps, but this year I can't because my hands are tied with the Little Shop Of Horrors' 'I love passing on what you've learned to young kids. I love it when they come in in September and they are all shy and nervous and by June they are like a different kid. You can't shut them up, they are full of confidence and they become the role models for the next year's kids. 'And I really love writing scripts for kids to perform. We had an amazing show just there on Monday. The popular entertainer says he would encourage parents to get their children involved in drama. 'It's great for kids, especially in this day and age because kids don't have the attention span that they used to. That's not their fault, it's just the modern world. 'Our attention span back in the day was going to watch a movie like Jurassic Park for two hours on a Saturday. Kids don't do that anymore because their attention span is just flicking through their TikToks and stuff… their attention span is a max of about 30 seconds. 'I do think that for an hour or two hours a week putting the phone down is good for the head. I go to a philosophy class every Monday with my mother and I love it. David O'Reilly and Jacqueline Brunton in the Little Shop of Horrors musical 'My mother started it in 2022 and she said, 'I've signed you up.' And it's the best thing I've ever done. It's just a reminder of the tools that are so simply accessed that we don't use. Little things when you are in a situation of anxiety, pause, take three seconds, breathe and ask yourself 'What would a wise man do in this situation?' It's very good and you meet some really great people.' Johnny credits his mother, Kathy, with fostering his love of acting. 'Without her I wouldn't have made a career in this,' he says. 'My mum was very much adamant that we all do drama growing up. Just before this interview we went over the script of Little Shop of Horrors together.' Johnny's mum, Kathy, has suffered a series of health issues since the passing of her husband in 2019. She was diagnosed with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, which is also referred to as a broken heart. Johnny as Ciaran in Fair City 'Last July Mum was diagnosed with cancer and we all feared the worst. Her pancreas, gallbladder and a large part of her bowel were taken out. 'Then she got Covid, she had a fall and it was one nightmare after another. But she's brilliant and she's doing well and she's back to her usual self now.' Johnny also paid tribute to his wife, Brenda, who, he says, is his 'biggest supporter.' The couple met while out walking in the Curragh when lockdown restrictions were relaxed and will be two years married next month. 'Brenda is an amazing person, there is never any arguing and if there is we just have a laugh about it,' Johnny reveals. 'And she has just been magnificent with my mother — she's just like another daughter to her.'
