As the title implies, `Little Shop of Horrors' is far removed from the slightly staid image implied by the name of Bermuda's leading `musicals' group. The Gilbert & Sullivan Society, originally formed as a showcase for the celebrated English duo, has long since branched out into Broadway and West End musicals which, in recent years, seem to have become more and more lavish.

This year, the choice for their annual October production, is a Broadway musical with a difference.

"I think it would be fair to say that it breaks new ground, as far as the Society is concerned,'' says Keith Madeiros, director of the show. "It's a musical comedy, a play, really, with music and songs. I would like to emphasise that it certainly isn't a horror show. I think it's very entertaining and funny and I believe audiences will enjoy it.'' Set in an early 1960s New York florist shop, the undeniably mad plot centres around the day-dreaming Seymore Krelbourn, whose humdrum life takes on an entirely new, and frankly alarming aspect with the arrival of a strange-looking plant that grows...and grows... and grows... and, at the same time, turns out to be cannibalistic in its eating habits. Unprecedented media attention, suspect financial schemes, thoughts of murder most foul and a plant hell-bent on world conquest all combine to guarantee a suspenseful, as well as a comic evening of entertainment.

"I suppose you'd describe this as a move away from the very grand musicals of recent years,'' muses Mr. Madeiros. "There is perhaps less emphasis on the technical aspects of production, but I think we have a happy medium between the acting and music and the sets and costumes, so that all is more even. At least, that's what we are trying to do!'' The plant itself, of course, has presented considerable problems as it has been imported from a US costumier. "It's being shipped in a 900-lb. crate and it looks like a cross between an avocado and a venus fly-trap. It grows from normal size to that of a shetland pony and, as time progresses, it covers the whole stage -- so that's been quite a challenge,'' explains Mr. Madeiros.

Asked why he chose this musical for his directorial debut, he reveals that when he saw the film, "it really appealed to me, for some reason! I can remember deciding there and then that, one day, I was going to direct it.

Well,'' he adds with a grin, "that `one day' has now come.'' Taking the lead role of Seymour is photographer Marshall DeCouto, with the three urchins -- Crystal, Chiffon and Ronette -- played by Aneesah Furquan, Lisa Young and Robin Sheppard respectively. "Now here we have three brilliant back-up singers who really serve as a kind of Greek chorus and keep popping out throughout the show. If you don't come to the show to see this amazing plant or for the story, please come and see the Supremes re-born. They're terrific!'' Mushnik, proprietor of the florist shop, is played by well-known actor Dal Tucker, while Gareth Smith takes on two roles -- that of Orin, the detestable dentist and the voice of the plant. Nancy Thompson plays the beautiful Audrey, Rhona Vallender is Mrs. Luce and, although Richard Fell will not be seen, he can be heard as the radio announcer and the Voice of God. "For Gareth, who's a doctor here, it's his first time onstage, and he's absolutely brilliant,'' says the director."I am also very pleased with the set. It's not `glam' -- nor should it be, as it's situated on Skid Row.'' Keith Madeiros, visual presentation director for The English Sports Shop group of companies, is one of Bermuda's most naturally gifted performers. Making his first appearance in `Pippin' in 1984, his comedic talents have been delighting audiences ever since: as Garry Lejeune in `Noises Off', in BMDS pantomimes (most memorably as the `axpert' in Warren Cabral's `Sinbad the Sailor'), as the tango dancer and singer in `Evita', as Gerald in `Me and My Girl' and as the manic police sergeant in `The Pirates of Penzance'.

`Little Shop of Horrors', with music by Alan Menken and book and lyrics by Howard Ashman, was also made into a successful film.

Gaynor Gallant is the musical director, with Debbie Mello as choreographer, costume designs by Charlotte Codling, set designs by Debbie Mackenzie and lighting by Annette Hallett. The show is produced by the Gilbert & Sullivan Society's president Marjorie Stanton.

`Little Shop of Horrors' will be presented at the City Hall Theatre from October 9-18. Tickets at $25 will be available from the Visitors Service Bureau daily (10.am. to 4 p.m.) from September 29 onwards, telephone 295-1727.

A COMIC TALE OF HORROR -- Dale Tucker (left) and Aneesah Furquan rehearsing a scene from `Little Shop of Horrors' for the Gilbert & Sullivan Society's October production.