b'THE ELLESMERIAN65DramaLittle Shop of Horrors presents the tale of shy amateur botanist, Seymour Krelborn (Huw Lloyd) who tinkers his nights away in the basement of Mr Mushniks (Ronan Phillips) failing flower shop, hoping to create a fetching plant hybridization that will save the shop and his much-needed job. His only other Summer Term work perk is working alongside floral designer Audrey (Mariella Steele & Maddie Freer-Carmichael), a lovely girl that looks for Like everything across the country and indeed the world, ourlove but lands a sadist DentistOrin Scrivello, DDS (Monty Summer Term events were cut short by the Covid-19 pandemic.Henderson). Seymours salvation appears in the form of a man-As you will be aware, students start preparing and rehearsing foreating plantAudrey II (Puppeteer: Alex Herbert-Adams)with events well in advance and this is true for the 32 strong cast ofthe power to give poor Seymour everything he lacks in life. what should have been this years Lower School Production High School the Musical.When Audrey IIs appetite becomes insatiable, Seymour must choose between the high life or the high road. Beautifully Middle and Senior School students had been busy working on aaccompanied by the street urchins Ronnette (Rosie Wood), new and exciting creative opportunity called BrainstormaCrystal (Emily Ashley) and Chiffon (Kizzy Lumley-Edwards), the Dance Drama based piece of performance that looks at thetale of Audrey IIs rise to fame is told by a number of different teenage brain and its neurological connections.characters: the Skid Row Homeless, shop customers, Radio Interviewers, Mr Bernstein, Mrs Luce, Skip & Snip Agents, and As soon as is safely possible we will, of course, ensure both thesePatrick Martin (Leo Slack, Abigail Manford, Grace Warren, Alice exciting productions go ahead along with their original casts,Parton, Jojo Kang, Amy Storey-Gibbons, Sophie Ward, Lucy whenever that may be!Arrowsmith, Zoe Mabaquiao-Lennox, Emily Curzon, India Freer-Carmichael, Mako Sasaki, and Ellen Dawson).A live band made up of Jack Arrowsmith (Drums), Amber Coxill (Bass), Mr Kevin Whitley (keyboard), Mr Scott Phillips (Piano), and Senior School Production Mr Tony Coupe (Musical Director) worked incredibly hard on providing the music and sound effects for the show whilst the set Little Shop of Horrorsconstruction, movement, and placement of the different sized Audrey II pods and set dressing was meticulously planned and carried out by Danylo Zagorii and Mr Ray Zajankauskas. Students not only shone on stage, the backstage responsibilities were led and managed by Deputy Stage Manager Danylo Zagorii, Lighting by Ceri Morgan, Sound Operation Ben Gibbons, Stage Management Kit Lewers, and Assistant Stage Manager Jonty Lewers, with Maria Kjeldbjerg, Maria Campos-Pinal, Estella Behrans, Mrs Julie Kirk, and Mrs Jennifer Hunting assisting with costume, make up and personal props.Mrs Rachel Schubert (Director) commended the full cast, musicians, and backstage crew on their commitment, enthusiasm, and company work ethic, which meant the production was put on stage in less than four weeks of rehearsal. The production performed a matinee performance for Ellesmere Primary School students, as well as playing to packed audiences over three evenings. Once again, the talented students and staff at Ellesmere College have thrived on the passion and commitment for the This years Senior School Production saw the Drama and MusicArts at Ellesmere, creating and presenting a fantastic production Departments working together to create our unique and highlythat will be well remembered for years to come. entertaining version of the cult show Little Shop of Horrors. Just before Christmas, Production meetings started and plans were put into action for the creation of the set, costumes, props, and, of course, the all-important Audrey II Plants! Having been on a schoolNational Youth Theatre & British theatre trip in May to see Little Shop at The Storyhouse in Chester, we were able to give all four versions of Audrey a home for ourYouth Music Theatre Success! own production! Acting, singing, and band rehearsals ensued and the cast of Senior School students worked incredibly hard over anDrama and Music Scholar Mariella Steele is living her dream intense rehearsal period to learn their material and rehearse theafter being accepted by both the National Youth Theatre and scenes and musical numbers.the British Youth Musical Theatre companies this spring.'