Got a cavity? … Dave Barclay plays Orin the evil dentist in Little Shop of Horrors. 66202 Picture: SARAH MATRAY
By Vanessa Chircop
DAVE Barclay hopes Altona City Theatre’s production of Little Shop of Horrors will give a fresh twist to an old favourite.
The actor who plays Orin the evil dentist admitted it had been fun to play the bad guy.
“It’s fun to play the villain … I’m on the laughing gas so I’m basically laughing and being mean all the time,” he said.
“I love the show – it’s probably the fourth time that I’ve done it over the past eight years.”
Daniel Heskett, an experienced and well known music director within amateur theatre, has stepped into the role of director for the first time for this production.
Dave said one of the things that drew him to the show was the chance to work Heskett again, adding that Heskett’s directing has given the show a fresh new feel.
“It has a comic book noir, watchmen – sin city style,” he said.
“It’s an interesting take as it is normally done in a B-grade horror style.”
The 28-year-old added while certain shows like Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables have to be done in a certain way, you have more freedom to move with shows like Little Shop of Horrors.
“Some purists may not like the take, but as long as they’re impressed then that’s okay,” he said.
Producer Patt Ryan said Little Shop of Horrors was a musical about a down and out florist apprentice who dreams of getting out of the slums of the city and making a new life. The only thing standing in his way is, well, everything.
The show opens on Friday 8 July, for tickets visit www.altonacitytheatre.com.au or call 0425 705 550.
