TALENTED students at Kidderminster’s Baxter College are putting the final touches to this year’s production, Little Shop of Horrors.

The horror comedy rock musical, by composer Alan Menken and writer Howard Ashman, tells the tale of a hapless florist shop worker who raises a plant that feeds on human blood and flesh.

Head of creative arts at Baxter College, Richard Ravenhall, said staff and students were working “round the clock” rehearsing songs, dances and acting ready for next week’s performances.

Auditions for this year’s show were so strong that director Sophie Roberts was able to double cast almost all the main roles, with students ages ranging from 11 to 18.

Year seven student Max Coleman, aged 11, who plays the main character Seymour Krelborn, said: “It has been amazing to have the opportunity to have a lead role in my first year at Baxter College and also to have the chance to learn from older, more experienced students.”

Musical director Freya Greaves said working with a giant singing plant had been a “challenge” but plant operator Beth Christopher, aged 17, and the plant’s voice, Ryan Brunt, aged 16, had “risen to the challenge like true professionals”.

She added: “Spare a thought for plant operator Beth though, she will be spending two hours every night inside the plant, making it talk, sing and eat various cast members.”

The show will run nightly at 7pm between Tuesday, February 14, to Thursday, February 16.

Tickets, priced £3, can be booked via the school’s website baxtercollege.worcs.sch.uk.