Stepping into the role of the endlessly hopeful Audrey will be Amena El-Kindy who can currently be seen playing Éponine in the West End version of Les Misérables. Other credits include: Beautiful – The Carole King Musical (Curve and UK Tour), Robin Hood: The Legend for Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and The Rock n Roll Panto at Liverpool Everyman Theatre.
The role of Seymour Krelborn, a hapless flower shop assistant who discovers a mysterious plant with a deadly secret (it feeds on human blood!) will be played by Kristian Cunningham. Kristian hails from Derbyshire with credits including: Dick Whittington for Derby Arena; various pantomimes for Little Wolf Entertainment; Associate Director on Grease for Dubai Opera House; Jamie in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie for KTCo and Musical Staging on Blonde: Marilyn Monroe Musical. Kristian is also the Creative Director of KTCo Studios, one of the East Midlands’ leading performing arts schools.
Seymour
Audrey
Sarah Brigham (Artistic Theatre and CEO, Derby Theatre and Director of Little Shop of Horrors):
“I’m incredibly excited to be working with Amena and Kristian in our new production of Little Shop of Horrors. Both actors blew me away at auditions, and not only had fantastic singing voices, but showed a real understanding of the heart of the show. Around Amena and Kristian, we are building an exciting band of actor-musicians to take on the other key roles. I’m really excited to start work with them.”
Natalie Ibu (Artistic Director, Northern Stage):
“We can’t wait to bring this cult classic of a musical comedy to audiences in Newcastle and Derby, and to watch Amena and Kristian bring their own fresh perspectives to the iconic roles of Audrey and Seymour. Little Shop of Horrors sees the return of musical theatre to Northern Stage for the first time since the hugely successful The Last Ship in 2018. We know Newcastle is a city of music lovers, and they’re in for a real treat.”
Little Shop of Horrors is a deliciously dark, delightfully tongue-in-cheek musical with a killer soundtrack that has thrilled audiences for more than 40 years. This exciting co-production will take over the main stage auditoriums at both venues between April and June this year in a bold, actor-musician production, opening at Northern Stage from Friday 8 to Saturday 23 May before transferring to Derby Theatre from Saturday 30 May to Saturday 20 June. All performances will feature creative integrated captions, ensuring the production is accessible to all.
Packed with unforgettable songs like Skid Row (Downtown), Suddenly Seymour, Somewhere That’s Green and Feed Me (Git It!), this outrageous musical promises killer tunes, unexpected laughs and larger-than-life characters.
Follow Us!
To ‘SEE MORE’ of Little Shop of Horrors, visit www.derbytheatre.co.uk/ www.northernstage.co.uk or follow us on social media (Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube – @derbytheatre, @northern_stage). Keep an eye out for the full cast and creatives team announcement.
More Information
Accessible Performances
All performances will include creative captions, where captions are integrated artistically into the performance.
BSL integrated performances (where BSL is woven into the dialogue and movement of the production adding depth, emotion and cultural authenticity to the production): Sat 13th June 2.30pm, Fri 19th June 7.30pm
Audio described performances (providing a live verbal commentary of key action, visuals and sound through a personal headset, making the show accessible to blind and visually impaired audiences): Sat 13th June 7.30pm, Wed 17th June 2.30pm
Dementia-friendly performances (providing a relaxed, supportive environment with low lighting, quiet spaces and friendly staff to help audiences enjoy the theatre and performance): Thu 11th June 2.30pm
Relaxed performances (adapted to make theatre comfortable for all, with adjusted lighting and sound, a chill-out space and pre-show support materials): Mon 8th June 7.30pm
Tickets and How to Book
Derby Theatre
£32 – £48.
Friends, Earlybird, group, under 26s and school rates available.
Book online at Little Shop of Horrors – Derby Theatre or Box Office on 01332 593939
Northern Stage
Tickets from £12. Members, student and group/school rates available. Accessible performances to be announced. Book online at northernstage.co.uk or call 0191 230 5151
Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a first-time visitor to Skid Row, don’t miss your chance to experience this riotous theatrical treat at Derby Theatre.
About Derby Theatre
Bold and brilliant performances. Shows that represent our community. A platform for ground-breaking artists. A pathway for learners of all ages. A guaranteed great night out. We’re a theatre like no other. We’re known for artistic excellence. We’re committed to education. And we believe that theatre can change your life.
Previously Derby Playhouse, we have a long and important theatrical history. As Derby Theatre, we work in partnership with the University of Derby. We produce new plays and projects, collaborate with artists and local people, and welcome higher education students and anyone who wants to learn.
We are a charity and a National Portfolio organisation for Arts Council England, and we’re led by artistic director and CEO Sarah Brigham.
About Northern Stage
Northern Stage is a theatre where everyone is welcome.
We make and present contemporary theatre, live performance and creative programmes that spark connections, provoke curiosity and joy, and explore new ways of seeing the world from our home in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne.
We promote creativity and provide life-changing experiences for people who would not normally have access to such opportunities.
Northern Stage is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, which means funding thanks to National Lottery players plays a huge part in supporting our work.
More info here: www.northernstage.co.uk