MALVERN Theatres Young Company will take to the stage this month with their first ever production, Little Shop of Horrors.

The show tells the story of a down-and-out skid row floral assistant who becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers an exotic plant with a mysterious craving for fresh blood.

Soon Audrey II grows into an ill-tempered, foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore who offers him fame and fortune in exchange for feeding its growing appetite, finally revealing itself to be an alien creature poised for global domination.

The show stars Douglas Watts, Abbie Steele, Bryony- Rose Ward, Jo Edwards, Matthew Heels, Charlotte Heels, Jacob Kipping and Liam Brown.

The talented company of young performers, all aged between 14 and 25, was selected after an extensive search for local gifted performers back in February to form Malvern Theatres first young company.

The project aims to enable young people to work alongside professional musicians, directors and choreographers as well as providing behind-the-scenes placements in costume, make-up, hair, backstage and stage management.

Little Shop of Horrors will be directed by Andy Reiss of the acclaimed Beyond the Barricade Company.

Reiss has directed and performed in musicals including Les Miserables, Evita and Chess.

Musical director David Lane has more than 40 years of experience and choreographer Katie Leeming spent three years in the West End.

Little Shop of Horrors is at Malvern Theatres between Wednesday and Sunday, August 15 and 19.

Tickets are available from the box office on 01684 892277 or online at malvern-the atres.co.uk.