A truly live experience: Live Live Cinema presents ‘Little Shop of Horrors’

New Zealand’s Live Live Cinema, presented by Jumpboard Productions, bring their unique take on Roger Corman’s 1960 cult hit Little Shop of Horrors to Warwick Arts Centre from 10th-12th June. The four-strong team dub over the original film’s characters, music and sound effects, essentially becoming both Foley artists and entertaining live performers in their own right. Leon Radojkovic’s kooky soundtrack is a perfect fit for the film and never feels out of place.

Little Shop of Horrors is four-dimensional cinema with the bright set complementing the comic, chaotic Los Angeles setting of the film. The Warwick Arts Centre Theatre stage is littered with props: buckets, balloons, an angle grinder – watch out for this – each bringing with it a satisfying percussion to add to the soundtrack. It would be easy to disregard the set at first as a hipster background for the action, but each prop has a distinct purpose. This is organised disorder and with every stumble over a pot or jump to reach a bell there is purpose in the performers’ actions, as the farce of the film unfolds before us.

With the busy set and animated performers, it can at times be difficult to know whether the audience is being guided to the film or to the live action. The benefit of this, of course is that each audience member has a unique experience. In this sense, the audience is directly involved in the construction of the show. Audience interaction is key, although there is just one moment in which the cast move into the auditorium, the audience’s attention is constantly being focused and refocused. We watch Hayley Sproull create an exaggerated dentist’s drill using the angle grinder, as sparks fly across the stage, but at other points our attention is fixed on the film. For some, the cinema screen and live performers seemingly in battle for one’s attention could be frustrating, but it could also spark a discussion about the role that the audience plays in performance.

To add to this clever piece, Little Shop of Horrors is vibrant and often very funny. As cast members rush to switch between instruments and props, or conjure ridiculous characters, it’s easy to laugh out loud. For the most part, while the production will often raise a giggle, it’s not a laugh out loud piece but more an outstanding display of talent from Live Live Cinema. The performers are so precise with their actions and voices that the four dimensional experience doesn’t seem a gimmick. It adds a special quality of live performance to the cinema with an awareness that anything could happen. Cinema becomes live, and it’s truly original.

Little Shop of Horrors is fantastic fun and for a student audience, makes for a night out that the whole house would enjoy. Whilst it’s not always rip-roaring comedy, the performers’ talent is remarkable and the “live live” experience a treat.

Live Live Cinema’s Little Shop of Horrors is playing at the Warwick Arts Centre Theatre until Friday 12th June 2015. Visit warwickartscentre.co.uk or call 02476524524 to book tickets. A concessionary rate is available.