You wouldn’t think there would be much to laugh at when faced by a man-eating plant.

But that is the plot of the latest hit show to come to the stage at Stockton Riverside College - and it promises to be blooming good fun.

Bringing a splash of dark comedy to the Margaret Armstrong Theatre, students from across the college’s two sites have come together to present, Little Shop of Horrors.

Described as “a lively fast paced show”, set to live music, with lots of theatrical tricks, the college’s BA Hons Performing Arts course leader Michele Plews said: “This is definitely one not to be missed.”

Produced as close to professional standards as possible, Michele said the students have worked hard to create an outstanding show.

With a few surprises along the way, she said audiences can’t fail to be impressed.

The course leader said: “For many students this is their first time working with a set of this size and complexity.”

She said performing alongside a talking “man-eating plant” also brings with it its own demands requiring the students to develop puppeteering skills.

Taking the lead role of Seymour, the shy florist who discovers the extraordinary plant with a hunger for human flesh, is Performing Arts Foundation Degree student, Rhys Hammond Booth, 21, originally from Huddersfield.

He said: “It has been hard work but it is going to be worth it. It is going to be an amazing show.”

BTEC Level 3 Performing Arts Musical Theatre student, Luke Spires plays owner of the shop Mr Mushnik. Luke, 24, originally from East London, said: “The show offers audiences a bit of everything. The time and effort that goes into all the shows makes them a very high quality.”

Starring students from all of the college’s Performing Arts courses, including the BA Hons course run in partnership with Teesside University, Little Shop of Horrors is the college’s first show, of this scale, to bring together Performing Arts students from Stockton Riverside College and A level Theatre Studies students from SRC Bede Sixth Form, performing alongside each other in leading roles.

Little Shop of Horrors takes to the stage at Stockton Riverside College’s Margaret Armstrong Theatre this Thursday, Friday and Saturday (April 16-18) at 7.30pm. Tickets: £10 adults and £8 concessions; available from the Stockton Riverside College Box Office 01642 865465, on the door or at https://intelligent-tickets.co.uk.