Our Drama students did it again – delivered yet another sell-out, jaw-dropping performance; this time with a delightfully upbeat version of the rather grisly story, Little Shop of Horrors.
A collaboration with Bedford Girls’ School, the cast delighted audiences with their on-stage chemistry, cute choreography and pitch-perfect voices, sending hair-raising chills into a toe-tapping audience. While the story and songs were simple, the execution by these young actors was truly award worthy and earned them a glowing review in the Bedford Independent, who said their performances “were of the quality you’d expect in the West End”.
Of course, we must make a special mention to the star of the show, Audrey II, who started life as a hand puppet and, after a diet of human blood, soon grew to a giant man-eating plant with striking similarities to a Venus Fly Trap. The puppetry involved behind Audrey II was imaginative and clever – it took five boys and somewhat of a contortion act to bring her to life. Audrey II was voiced by Upper Sixth Former Jamie Williams, whose robust and booming voice created an intimidating, hilarious and manipulative plant and, if you want to know what it is like to be on the inside of Audrey II, you can read Jamie’s rather unique review titled, ‘Back to the Roots- Inside the Plant’
The presence of the school’s brilliant band also helped to make this show fantastic. Led by Musical Director Bjorn Bantock and featuring a number of our talented boys playing a range of instruments – not least music scholar Tom Arnold, who took up the mantle of Assistant Musical Director without even breaking a sweat!
Drama teacher and the show’s Director Mrs Caroline Millington said, “We have been absolutely blown away by the positive response to the show and we are hugely proud of the cast, crew and musicians. They worked incredibly hard throughout the process and it has been great to see both Bedford School and Bedford Girls’ School work together so collaboratively. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with such a talented team.”
