MALTON School is preparing to “wow” audiences with its biggest show in decades.

Little Shop of Horrors will be performed by pupils in the school’s new drama studio, supported by teachers and staff.

Many of the students have a background in performance, including 17-year-old Joe Wing, who was a runner-up in Ryedale’s Got Talent, and Eleanor Anson, 16, one of the performers in the Malton panto Robin Hood, who is also lead singer with the school’s Soul Band.

The show’s band is made up of students James Porritt-Dunn on drums, Tom Wing on bass, guitarist Jared Smith and Ryan Perry on second keyboards.

Hayley Spiers, director and school drama teacher, said Little Shop of Horrors was chosen because it was a personal favourite of hers.

“I was in it when I was 16 and I really enjoyed being a part of it,” she said.

“I think that it’s a big show with lots of room for creativity and the ‘wow’ factor, but people haven’t necessarily encountered it as much as other big musicals like Grease, for example. This means that there is room to surprise the audience.”

Little Shop of Horrors follows the antics of Seymour, a florist’s assistant, who discovers a rather unusual plant with a craving for – blood. It is a cult film and one of the longest running off-Broadway shows of all time. Set in 1960’s downtown New York, it is best described as a quirky musical comedy-cum-horror show with a Motown and blues score.

Sponsorship has been provided by a number of local companies.

Performances are on March 11, 12 and 13, at 7pm.

Tickets are priced £7 for adults, £5 for concessions and a family ticket £20 (two adults plus two children) and are available from West Wing reception.