THE YOUNGEST cast ever for a production at a Forest school have got their teeth into the classic musical Little Shop of Horrors.

Some of the youngest pupils at Dene Magna School take centre stage in the show which runs from tonight (Wednesday) until Friday (March 25).

Year Seven pupil Malachai Beach is Seymour, the hapless flower shop worker who grows a flesh-eating plant, while Betsy Beard plays Audrey, the object of his affections.

Lily Brice has a key role in the cast of nearly 40 although she is never seen on stage – she is the voice of the plant which Seymour has named Audrey Two.

Musical director Laura Burt said: “We’ve got the youngest age group of a main cast that we’ve ever had, we’ve only got two Year 11s – the rest of Years Seven to 10.

“They’ve worked really hard and Malachai stepped in as Seymour in November.

“We’ve only had the plant a week – pupils are doing the puppeteering and they’ve done really well.

“It’s hard work but I love doing it.”

Rehearsals started in October with pupils staying every Thursday until 5pm and since last month they have added Sunday practice to it.

Assisting the production are Lisa Harris, who takes care of make-up and props, sound and lights man Dave Eaton – whose sons Gideon and Ethan work backstage – and Beth Jones, a former pupil who has returned to the school as an apprentice teaching assistant.