At The British School of Beijing, Shunyi (BSB Shunyi), it’s all systems go as the student body, teachers, and parents alike gear up for this year’s play, to be staged on November 23. This year, students prepare to mount a large-scale stage performance of the movie The Little Shop of Horrors which was first released as a film in 1960, remade in 1982, and has enjoyed many off-Broadway revivals at the Orpheum Theatre.
It is a production which enjoys a cult following as it tells the story of an orphan called Seymour, an amateur botanist from Skid Row who rather fortuitously comes across a strange and hitherto undiscovered species of plant which might just save his boss’s failing flower shop located in a seedy part of town. After much tending to, the plant grows and exhibits a rather curious appetite for blood and later demands, in what gives this production a hilarious yet horrific turn, “Feed Me!”
From the set, props, and even the poster, the entire production’s preparation is in the hands of the student body, assisted of course by a handful of teachers. The performance itself is a hybrid of both the movie and subsequent Broadway performances, with the original characters being portrayed by several students, interspersing scenes with Broadway numbers choreographed to perfection. Watching the team rehearse is in itself a work of art.
Students from Year 7 and above all take direction from Ms. Haley, Director of Performing Arts and Producer of this show, Ms. Helen, Head of Art coordinates the prop and set design construction, and Ms. Anita, drama teacher at BSB Shunyi, who masterfully direct everything from lighting to stage marks for each actor and performing group – this is a well oiled machine which runs with military precision and surgical accuracy. Ms. Anita told me that the play has been in rehearsals since the beginning of the school term, which is wonderfully obvious. As some of the students let me know, it is a fun play to perform and unlike anything they have staged thus far. Each performer has a technique of their own to help them master their performance. One or two, like Luca Coban (Mr. Mushnik), have admitted to not watching the movie or off-Broadway performances in order to give an entirely authentic portrayal of the characters they wish to bring to life. Expert direction, dynamic vocals, choice selections of musical accompaniment and exquisite performances conspire on stage to make this production one for the books.
BSB Shunyi shines as a hotbed of student talent as the very attractive poster mounted to advertise the upcoming theatrical production was itself a result of an artistic contest within the student body. with Year 9 student Yining Zhao (Angeli) emerging the winner. Costumes are being provided by the parent community of BSB Shunyi. Anticipation for the performance is so high that the evening performance on November 23 is entirely sold out. Even though the drama team at BSB Shunyi mounts a performance each year, this year’s performance promises to be one of their best.
If you wish to book a ticket, here is some information to help you know when and how, provided by BSB Shunyi.
3 Shows available:
- Sat 23 November 2pm
- Sat 23 November 7pm SOLD OUT
- Sun 24 November 2pm
Ticket info:
Price: Adult RMB 100, Child (under 18 years old) RMB 65
Please note: We hope that everyone can have a chance to see the show.
- Ticket orders are limited to ONE performance, up to 5 tickets only.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult, and please, no children ages 0-3.
- As some themes can be scary for children, we recommend the show for Y3 (age 7) and up. Parents, please use your best judgment.
***Please note: tickets are non-refundable, and we will not process requests to swap show times.
To buy tickets, please visit our online purchase page:
1. Please click on the link or scan the QR code below.
2. Once you reach the online purchase page, please click the “Register” button in Red, fill in all the details and keep a record of your payment confirmation.
3. Please take a screenshot or save the e-mail as your ticket. We will not do paper tickets in order to be more eco-friendly.
Photos: courtesy of British School of Beijing, Shunyi.
