A student from Glastonbury has starred as the Strode College Theatre Company brought all the horror and comedy to life with their musical production Little Shop of Horrors, based on the classic film by Roger Corman, starring Rick Moranis and Ellen Greene.

There were outstanding performances by Jacob Sparks from Glastonbury (formerly at Huish Episcopi Academy) and Freya De Villiers from Henstridge (formerly at Gillingham School), who played the leading characters of Seymour and Audrey who captured the hearts of the audience with their affectionate ways.

Set in the 1950s, life is hard down on Skid Row, and business is bad for failing florist Mr Mushnik, and the shop is under threat of closure.

That is until hapless assistant Seymour Krelborn acquires an unusual plant and strange things start to happen.

Everything would be great if only the plant, lovingly named after co-worker Audrey, didn't need a special ingredient to thrive.

The growing plant attracts a great deal of business for the previously struggling store, however when Audrey is humiliated once too often by her sadistic boyfriend, events take a darker turn, which not everyone survives.

And at the end, when everything has gone terribly wrong, the Chorus and the characters offer the audience a moral to the story, in the song, Don't Feed the Plants.

This year the Performing Arts team joined forces with the Art department, led by Duncan Cameron, (Sculptor and Art Foundation Lecturer) in the creation of all the weird, wonderful, and mind-blowing props, including the very intense task of creating the four stages of the infamous Audrey II plant.

This is the first time that the two departments have worked together on such a huge scale and it has been hailed as a tremendous success.

From simple leaf making, to full scale props and set, members from various courses and disciplines came together to turn the college production into something even the West End would envy.

The highlight, of course, was the large scale puppet of Audrey II, which was not only a feat of artist creation, but wonderful engineering and a true devotion of time and love.

Lead roles were performed by students studying either Performing Arts or A level Drama and Theatre Studies.

Locryn Gadd from Wells (and formerly at the Blue School) really enjoyed playing a baddy this year as he delivered a very convincing performance as the villainous sadistic dentist Orin.

Of course, huge credit also has to be given to the duo Charlie Trigger, from Meare, and Cameron White, from Somerton, who voiced and animated Audrey II, completely blowing the audience away with their immense energy involved in bringing this extraordinary character of the all-singing, all moving, flesh-eating plant to life.

The enthusiasm of the entire cast was infectious - their energy filling the stage. Dance numbers were polished and slick and the ensemble singing was strong and joyful. Smaller roles were all played exceedingly well.

Other particular notable performances include Jacob Edwards from Yeovil (formerly at Preston School), who played grumpy florist shop owner Mr Mushnik, and Grace Fahy, Charlotte Heath, Isabel Persaud, Ella Williams and Jessamy Bowditch who played the Urchins, wowing the audience with their vocal abilities.

The three-night production took place at the end of February, at Strode Theatre in Street with Friday and Saturday being sell-out shows.

This was massively helped by the flashmob the students performed on the weekend prior to promote the show to the general public at nearby Clarks Village.

The theatre company is a key part of the college's programme of enrichment activities and as such, provides opportunities for students from all areas of the college, including Performing Arts, Drama, Dance and Music students, as well as opportunities for students from other courses to perform and work behind the scenes.

The company meet weekly to develop their skills in acting, singing and dance while rehearsing for the annual college production.

The emphasis of these sessions is on fun – developing new friendships and working with other like-minded individuals.

Charmaine Bray, Director and Strode College Performing Arts teacher said: "After the success of Chicago last year it was difficult to imagine creating something bigger and better.

"However, it seems like the whole college have been on board with Little Shop of Horrors, and the collaboration with the Art department has helped bring the show to another level, giving our students such an amazing experience.

"We are very lucky to have such talented students and staff in all areas, they have all worked so hard and the whole process has been an absolute pleasure. I am super proud of what we have achieved."