Here is the old Faust legend in yet another guise: nerdish florist sells his soul for fame and fortune, only this time, he sells it to a plant.

The Little Shop Of Horrors throws Jewish humour (and klezmer music), sadistic dentistry, wacky horticulture and Radio Rockettes into a wholly improbable fantasy satire on material consumption and media celebrity. It could only be American.

Sussex Musical Theatre Society ( SMuTS) hurl themselves headlong into it, a phrase entirely appropriate, given the dietary requirements of Audrey ll.

The large cast are distinguished by performances of riotous energy and a great deal of student talent, even if a little raw by professional musical theatre standards. The complex show requires not just dancers, actors and singers, but musicians, designers, lighting and production crew and audio technology for the mild anarchy of controlled chaos.

It is seriously demanding for an amateur production but I think they pull it off. Particular praise for the musical direction of conductor Cody Bamford Bridges, the close harmony of the sparkling Rockettes and the real charismatic stage presence of central characters Seymour, Mushnik, Orin and Audrey l.

University dramatics can be a springboard; footlights and fringes come to mind.