LITTLE SHOP INTERVIEW: Neil Thomas

With just weeks to go before Little Shop of Horrors opens in Glasgow's Webster Theatre I caught up with a couple of the cast members to have a chat about the show. First up was Neil Thomas who is currently preparing to take on the role of Seymour:-

Tell me about your character:

Seymour Krelborn is poor and down on his luck.  He's kind, caring and works hard. He lives on Skid Row, and works in Mushnik's Florists alongside Mr Mushnik and the pretty Audrey. A little clumsy, and more than a little geeky, Seymour has feelings for Audrey, but can't pluck up the courage to tell her. But Seymour has discovered a brand new breed of plant, similar in appearance to a Venus flytrap, which he names Audrey II in honour of the subject of his affections.  Could this new plant be about to change Seymour's luck forever.....?

What drew you to the part?

It has genuinely always been my ambition to get a chance to play Seymour Krelborn.  I told Paul Harper-Swan (producer and director of this production of Little Shop of Horrors) about how much I loved this part, and this show, the very first time I ever met him.  This show is absolutely one of my favourites, and has been since I saw the fantastic movie version of it when I was younger. The music, the atmosphere and the characters really drew me in. I love Seymour's story and the journey he goes on throughout the show.  I also feel like I can easily relate to Seymour's geekiness!

How do you prepare for the role of Seymour? 

I think the important thing with playing Seymour is that, although he is of course a bit geeky and down on his luck, he's a really decent guy, and he should be "real" too.  It would be wrong to send him up, or have him prat falling and making a mess of everything.  He's not supposed to be a silly slapstick pantomime character, he needs the audience to really care about him and sympathise with him.  The audience should also believe in his feelings for Audrey and the whirlwind journey he goes on after discovering this exciting new plant, Audrey II.  I'm excited to get started on rehearsals and find out how to balance all these aspects of Seymour's character.  It'll be hard work, but great fun!

The show has been around for a long time now, what do you think makes it so popular? 

Undoubtedly it's the quality of the material.  The music by Alan Menken, and the lyrics and book by Howard Ashman, are some of the best I think musical theatre has ever produced.  There's a timeless appeal to the show, and it doesn't feel dated as it deliberately evokes that classic feel of the B-movie era.  The show is based on the 1960 non-musical film of the same name, and the ideas and characters are unique and unforgettable.  Another thing that I think helps, is that the 1986 film of this musical version is fantastically made, and so well cast.  It introduces so many people to the musical, who may then go and see a stage production of it.  The nice thing is that there are some differences between the stage version and the film version of the musical, so if you've only seen the movie before - you're in for a few surprises....!

What's your favourite song from the show and why? 

This is a really hard one to answer, as I can honestly say I feel this show has some of the best songs I've ever heard in a musical.  But, if I had to pick one, I'd go for "Feed Me (Git It)", the song from Act I sung by Seymour and Audrey II.  How can you not completely fall in love with a rock and roll duet performed by a florist's assistant and massive, hungry, soul-singing plant!

What do you hope audiences take away from the show? 

I really hope audiences have a great time, and come away totally satisfied and singing all the songs.  This material is some of the strongest the world of musical theatre has ever produced, in my opinion.  So I hope the audience have a fantastic night out and feel that we have done the show justice.  We will all work really hard to make sure they do!

Big thanks to Neil for taking some time out to answer my questions,

Little Shop of Horrors 
1st - 10th of May 2014
Tickets are £15 
Book by calling the Cottiers box office - 0141 357 4000 
or online by clicking here