One of musical theatre's most distinctive cult classics is set to take over Teatru Manoel this autumn, as Masquerade Malta, in collaboration with Teatru Manoel, will present Little Shop of Horrors from 23rd October to 1st November 2026, organisers said in a statement.
Blending dark comedy, romance, science fiction and B-movie horror, Little Shop of Horrors has entertained audiences around the world for more than four decades.
With music by Alan Menken, known for his work on Disney classics including The Little Mermaid, Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast, and book and lyrics by Howard Ashman, the musical brings together an unforgettable score with a wickedly comic story about ambition, love and the dangerous consequences of getting exactly what you wish for.
At the centre of the story is Seymour Krelborn, a shy and down-on-his-luck flower shop assistant whose fortunes change when he discovers a mysterious and unusual plant.
Seymour soon learns, however, that his extraordinary discovery comes with a disturbing secret: the plant thrives on human blood.
As Audrey II grows, Seymour begins to enjoy newfound fame and success, but the plant's increasingly dangerous appetite comes at a cost. Its appetite proves increasingly difficult to satisfy, forcing Seymour to confront just how far he is prepared to go for success and for the affection of his colleague Audrey.
The musical features some of its creators' best-known numbers, including Skid Row (Downtown), Suddenly Seymour and Feed Me (Git It), combining Motown-inspired music with comedy, horror and larger-than-life characters.
The production brings together a Maltese creative team led by Artistic Director Anthony Bezzina, with Musical Direction by Kris Spiteri, Choreography by Valerie Burke, Costume Design by Simona Mamo, Set Design by Adrian Mamo and Sound Design by Sergio Costa.
Taking on the role of Seymour is Luigi Buhagiar, alongside Michela Agius as Audrey and Karl Bartolo as Audrey II.
The cast also features Francesco Nicodeme as Orin, Rachel Fabri Camilleri as Crystal, Natassja Chapman as Chiffon, Abigail Maria Zarb as Ronette, Max Dingli as Mushnik, and Miguel Rosales as part of the ensemble.
Based on the film by Roger Corman, with a screenplay by Charles Griffith, Little Shop of Horrors has developed a devoted international following since its original stage production, thanks to its unusual combination of humour, horror, memorable music and an increasingly hungry plant at the heart of the action.
With its mix of romance, comedy, horror and well-known musical numbers, the upcoming production offers Maltese audiences the opportunity to experience the cult musical within the historic setting of Teatru Manoel.
For more information and tickets visit Teatru Manoel's website.