Little Shop of Horrors revival opens in Manchester

Hope Mill Theatre has released first-look photographs of its Little Shop of Horrors revival as performances begin in Manchester.

The production starts at Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester, on 25 September 2026. It runs there until 28 November 2026. Rehearsal photographs were issued in the days before the opening Theatre Weekly.

Maisie Smith stars as Audrey. Smith is known as an EastEnders actor and Strictly Come Dancing finalist. Jed Berry plays Seymour, the flower-shop assistant who finds the strange plant.

Michael Starke plays Mr Mushnik, the shop owner. Benjamin Yates plays Orin Scrivello, the dentist. Marcus Ayton provides the voice of Audrey II, the plant that grows ever larger and hungrier WhatsOnStage.

The wider company includes Kai Cameron-Jay, Ella Howlett, Rio Maye, Psalms-Nissi Myers-Reid, Joseph Peacock, Nathen Scott and Gabrielle Davina Smith.

The revival is directed and choreographed by Carrie-Anne Ingrouille. Set and costume design is by Morgan Large. Audrey II is played through four specially commissioned puppets made by Robert Allsopp, allowing the plant to change size as the story develops.

The show is produced by Thomas Hopkins Productions and SAMS Entertainment, in association with Hope Mill Theatre.

After Manchester, the production will transfer to Liverpool. A transfer means the production moves from its original venue into another theatre. It will play Liverpool Playhouse from 3 December 2026 to 9 January 2027.

There is one cast change for Liverpool. Jessie Elland will take over as Audrey for the Playhouse run WhatsOnStage.

What makes this stand out is scale. Hope Mill is a small room. Audrey II is a very big problem. Four puppets, one voice and a live company will have to share that space night after night.

For fans, this means two chances to see it. Manchester first. Then Liverpool over Christmas and into the new year.