"Little Shop of Horrors'', the bizarre musical that became a surprise hit on the off-Broadway circuit of New York has been chosen by The Gilbert & Sullivan Society for this year's major production.

In announcing the decision, president of the Society, Marjorie Stanton said that plans to stage `La Cage aux Folles' have had to be postponed as it had proved impossible to cast "at this time''.

"Little Shop of Horrors'', set in the '60s, will be directed by Keith Madeiros, with Gaynor Gallant as musical director, choreography will be by Debbie Mello and the show will be produced by Mrs. Stanton.

Says director Madeiros, "This time around, we decided to go for a more simple production, but with plenty of emphasis on acting and finely polished performances. Recently, the Society has been involved in ever-more lavish productions -- and that is fine -- but I think it's nice to sometimes go for a smaller production. `Lavish' doesn't necessarily have to mean that it's the best. Less costly shows have a place, too, in the finest that Broadway has to offer, and I believe that `Little Shop of Horrors' falls into that category.

It is a crazy show, but I think that audiences will love it!'' The somewhat complicated synopsis centres around Mushnik's Skid Row Florist, where the emergence of a man-eating plant alters the fortunes of store clerk Seymore Krelbourn, pining for the affections of his beat-up blonde co-worker, Audrey. As the appetite of the plant becomes increasingly voracious, the hapless Seymore is tempted to feed Audrey's tormentor-dentist to the plant that "looks like some kinda flytrap''. As owner Mushnik gets wise to the dentist's sudden disappearance, the plot thickens. Media hype makes the florist the most successful in New York, but a plan to clone the plant brings Seymore to the realisation that this "chloro-philled menace'' is actually bent on world conquest. Can Planet Earth be saved? Book your seats early to find out what happens ...

Mr. Madeiros says that the Society is looking for "a bright, energetic cast'' and is urging anyone who would like to be in the show which will run at City Hall from October 9 through 18, to attend auditions which will be held this Wednesday and Thursday, May 14 and 15 from 7 p.m. onwards. Please telephone Marjorie Stanton for further details and for an appointment to audition at 295-3218.

Keith Madeiros