Attendees at the smash-hit cult-rock musical were pleasantly surprised that the stage production kept the show almost 100 percent true to the sci-fi movie which was originally released in 1986.
With the original movie starring big names including Steve Martin, Father of the Bride; Tisha Campbell-Martin, My Wife and Kids; and Rick Moranis, Honey I Shrunk the Kids, it is no surprise that the classic would make such a splash in South Africa.
The show is directed by Steven Stead, with sets by Greg King and costumes by Terrence Bray, musical direction by Evan Roberts and Shelley Maclean, choreography by Janine Benne and lighting by Tina Le Roux.
The show features Alan Committie, as the main character, Seymour; the phenomenal Candice van Lisenborgh as his ditzy love interest, Audrey; and Michael Richard as Mr Mushnik, Seymour’s employer.
It was the upbeat Doo-Wap, 60s Rock ‘n Roll, and Motown numbers from the original movie that got the crowd going in their seats.
The show about the man-eating plant was originally a spoof of the American sci-fi films of the time, however, this onstage production was proudly South African and came straight out of Durban.
The theatrics were nothing less than spectacular, with the man-eating plant being very lively and operating independently from any of the onstage actors.
The opening night of the show was on 19 June, with a number of high-profile South African celebrities making their way to the theatre to watch the dark musical.
The show runs at the Montecasino’s Pieter Torien Main Theatre until 9 August.