QPAC and Woodward Productions’ revival of the iconic cult classic Little Shop of Horrors made a spectacular Brisbane Opening Night at the Cremorne Theatre, launching its already sold-out season with a performance that crackles with precision, personality and pitch-black humour. With music and lyrics by Disney Legends Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, this revival honours the show’s roots while injecting modern vibrancy.
The intimacy of the Cremorne Theatre amplifies every joke, gasp and deliciously unhinged moment — and with a cast this strong, every beat lands with power. The result is a production so tight, polished and theatrically confident it could be placed onto a Broadway stage immediately.
This staging is elevated by a cast of exceptional calibre, each performer delivering crisp comedic clarity, emotional richness and electric musicality. The audience felt it from the first number — and by the final note, they rose in an immediate, unanimous standing ovation, a testament to just how thrilling and impeccably crafted this revival is.
At the heart of this success is a brilliant creative team whose combined expertise shapes every corner of the production. Director Alister Smith steers the show with sharp comedic instinct and a cinematic sense of pacing, while Music Supervisor David Young and Musical Director Heidi Loveland ensure the Menken–Ashman score bursts with colour, precision and irresistible energy.
Designer Penny Challen crafts a world that is gritty, playful and shining with personality, enriched by Declan O’Neil’s atmospheric lighting and Dan Venz’s slick, character-driven choreography. The production’s vibrant aesthetic is further elevated by Jeff van de Zandt’s graphic design, dynamic animations by Creature Creative, and the crisp, immersive audio crafted by Sound Designer & Operator Ben Murray. Together, they form a powerhouse creative unit whose work enriches every second onstage.
The costumes and props, designed with vibrancy and detail, help define the gritty yet whimsical world of Skid Row. At the centre of the visual design sits the show’s glittering crown jewel: the Audrey II puppet — a jaw-dropping, ever-growing spectacle that becomes a deliciously monstrous presence. It is a full visual feast, brought to life with craftsmanship, character and a flair for theatrical magic.
Maxwell Simon brings a beautifully layered vulnerability to Seymour, capturing his blend of awkwardness, optimism and growing desperation. His sincerity grounds the show, making his moral spiral both funny and strangely moving. Simon’s Seymour is tender, endearing and wonderfully human.
Kirby Burgess delivers a luminous, heartfelt Audrey. She balances fragility with fierce inner strength, delivering vocals that shimmer with emotion. Her portrayal is as hilarious as it is touching, especially in her dream of a life “Somewhere That’s Green,” which she sings with such warmth it hushes the room. Her duet with Seymour during the iconic 11 o’clock number ‘Suddenly Seymour’ is breathtaking and a crowd favourite moment between the pair in their unlikely blossoming romance.
Matthew McKenzie and Charles Ball craft a show-stealing Audrey II with flawless synergy. McKenzie’s rich, charismatic vocals give the plant its menacing charm, while Ball’s precise puppetry animates it with humour, personality and impressive physicality. Together they create a villain who is deliciously irresistible — every “Feed me!” lands like a punchline and a promise.
Stephen Hirst is a wild delight as the deranged dentist Orin Scrivello. His comedic fearlessness and gleeful chaos turn every entrance into an event. He leans into the madness with full commitment, to the audience’s absolute joy.
Bryan Probets brings humour, flair and surprising warmth to Mr. Mushnik. His comic timing is razor-sharp, and his character work adds depth and personality to every interaction. Probets finds the perfect balance between bluster and heart.
Kimberley Hodgson, Anna Francesca Armenia and Nykita O’Keeffe as Crystal, Ronnette and Chiffon as the Urchins are captivating in their roles. This powerhouse trio delivers sparkling harmonies, razor-sharp timing and irresistible personality. They are the heartbeat of Skid Row, narrating, reacting and elevating each number with attitude, precision and vocal fire. Their presence lifts the entire production.
Emma Whitefield and Chris White as swings ensures the world of Skid Row feels alive, layered and constantly dynamic each time they are required to perform on stage at a moment’s notice.
With its unforgettable Menken & Ashman score — filled with earworms that linger delightfully in your head for days — this revival captures the full spirit of Little Shop of Horrors: its delicious weirdness, its dark humour, its irresistible music and its theatrical bite.
Tight, hilarious and visually spectacular, Woodward Productions and QPAC have delivered a revival bursting with personality and craft. A delicious night of theatre — one that Brisbane audiences devoured, rewarding the cast with an immediate and thoroughly deserved standing ovation.
WAITLIST FOR TICKETS
Now Playing at the Cremorne Theatre, QPAC
Until 15 February
All images Joel Devereux.
The Fame Reporter 