Musical theatre in Ireland is entering a new age this summer as the much-loved Little Shop of Horrors lands at Bord Gáis Energy Theatre.
Over the years, fans of musicals are accustomed to seeing touring shows coming over from the UK to play in the Dublin venue – but this time around it’s an all-new, all-Irish production.
West End and TV regular David O’ Reilly and rising star Jacqueline Brunton have been cast as leads in the smash-hit musical which runs from Friday July 25 to Saturday August 9.
David's lengthy CV includes Better Things, Doctors, Benidorm and Brassic on TV, while his stage work includes West End shows such as Grease, Catherine Tate Live, and The Book of Mormon.
Jacqueline Brunton spent three seasons as Lead Vocalist in Wilde Nights aboard the Irish Ferries Oscar Wilde and her stage work includes Shout: The Mod Musical, The Look of Love and Legends: In Concert. She was also backing vocalist for Josh Groban in the 3 Arena.
In this Bord Gáis Energy Theatre production, David and Jacqueline will play the iconic roles of Seymour Krelborn and Audrey. They performed together as Seymour and Audrey on Sunday's Dancing with the Stars.
Most people remember Little Shop of Horrors as a 1986 American horror comedy musical film directed by Frank Oz, starring Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, Vincent Gardenia and Steve Martin.
That was an adaptation of the 1982 off-Broadway musical of the same name by composer Alan Menken and writer Howard Ashman, which is itself an adaptation of the 1960 film The Little Shop of Horrors by director Roger Corman.
The story focuses on Seymour Krelborn and his co-worker, Audrey, employed at Mushnik's Flower Shop in a rundown area of an unnamed city.
Struggling from a lack of customers, Mr Mushnik decides to close the store, but Audrey suggests he may have more success by displaying an unusual plant that Seymour owns.
Seymour explains that he bought the plant - which he calls Audrey II - from a Chinese flower shop during a solar eclipse.
The plant brings much-desired business to Mushnik's shop but soon starts to wither. Seymour accidentally pricks his finger and discovers that Audrey II needs human blood to thrive!
As for David O'Reilly and Jacqueline Brunton, they both have very good reasons to be cheerful about landing the lead roles in such a prestigious production.
John Byrne: Right David – you first! I can only assume you're eagerly looking forward to hitting the Bord Gáis stage?
It’s great. It’s great for them too, their first in-house, full-scale musical. After being there for so long, and after bringing in so many UK shows to Ireland, they’re now taking that leap with their own production. It’s amazing.
And it’s amazing for the industry over here. Traditionally, you’d have go to London or elsewhere to get regular work.
Certainly, when I was starting out there was no other option rather than that. You had to com over to the UK even to train - particularly in musical theatre. Not so much in straight theatre.
With musical theatre, if you’re not over in London, a long career was kind of limited to what was available over here in Ireland.
How about you Jacqueline? This is surely a big step forward in your career?
I can't wait! It’s a show I’ve always loved, so I’m very excited to be part of it. To be honest, I can’t really believe it. It feels like fake news!
I’ve been lucky enough to play on many big stages both here at home and internationally, but nothing as big as the Bord Gáis. It’s special.
I went to see a show there recently - just after I found out that I got the part - I went to see Dr Strangleove, and while I was sitting there, looking at the stage, thinking: 'Oh, holy Moses. I’m going to be in this theatre.' It’s just fabulous.
David, you can see that Bord Gáis are stepping up a level here. Same with them bringing Dr Strangelove over straight from its West End run.
Incredible! And it was an amazing show - with Steve Coogan, obviously, as well. To get that straight from the West End, and then being the only other venue to get the show. That’s amazing.
You’re obviously familiar with the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre - but have you ever performed there?
After moving to London when I was 19, this will be my professional debut in Ireland! I’ve never performed on stage professionally in Ireland before. I’ve been involved in the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre on other levels though.
Jacqueline, can you tell me about the auditioning process?
The audition notices went out and, like many others, I sent in a self tape. Then they got in touch, then I had an audition call. When I went to that it was a lovely call actually, a lovely workshop. We had to prepare some pieces for Audrey.
I was recalled again, to read against some Seymours, and after that I found out that I was successful. That second recall was pretty intense, there was a lot of chopping and changing. And there was a lot of people there as well.
You have to keep your cool or you'll get overwhelmed. But they were absolutely lovely. It was one of the nicest audition processes I’ve ever experienced. Everyone got to give it their all.
David, even given your vast experience, it must be quite a buzz to be heading there to do Little Shop of Horrors?
It’s a full circle moment in so many ways. First, I’m getting to perform at home. Second, the last time I performed on stage as a kid was with Westside Stage School - and I played Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors. And my audition song for college in the UK was Grow For Me from Little Shop of Horrors.
So it really is a full circle moment. I haven’t done a musical since 2022 - I stepped away from it and focused on screen work and TV work - but Seymour is my dream role.
I was at the launch of the new Bord Gáis season in November, and I nearly fell off my chair when I heard they were doing a fully in-house production of Little Shop of Horrors. I knew I had to be involved in that.
But listen, they made me do an audition. I had to go through hoops for them, they didn’t just hand it to me. But I’m buzzing! I’m so excited!
Jacqueline, I assume this isn't just a big deal for you guys - it could also be a pivotal moment in musical theatre here in Ireland?
Being an Irish performer in musical theatre - there isn’t that much here. We’re so close to the West End - it’s right on our doorstep. If you want a career in it, you go to the UK. It would be the best option.
But there is so much talent here. There’s huge talent here! But unless you go to the UK, there’s just not much work here. So this production is a huge bridge. Massive for performers like myself. It’s a huge opportunity.
And there are other things, such as schools opening up. Adult education for students, like MTU down in Cork. I’m also involved in further education. I teach in Coláiste Dhúlaigh in Kilbarrack. I work in the Performing Arts course there. And I love it.
There’s so much here to nurture - and the idea that this has come along, it’s huge. There’s never been anything as big as this. Yes, of course there are Irish shows, and Irish theatre, but this is huge for musical theatre. It’s a really big deal.
Little Shop of Horrors runs at Bord Gáis Energy Theatre from July 25 to August 9. Tickets priced from €21.50 are on sale now through Ticketmaster.
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