WELSH rugby legend Gareth “Alfie” Thomas is swapping the rugby pitch for something considerably greener as he returns to Pembrokeshire to join the cast of Little Shop of Horrors as the show’s infamous, larger-than-life, man-eating plant, Audrey II.

Gareth became a firm favourite with Pembrokeshire audiences during Aladdin, throwing himself into the madness of pantomime and proving that there is much more to the former Wales and British & Irish Lions captain than rugby.

Now he is preparing for a very different theatrical challenge, bringing his personality, unmistakable voice and sense of fun to one of musical theatre’s most outrageous characters.

Gareth Thomas said:

“I had such an incredible time in Pembrokeshire doing Aladdin. The audiences were brilliant, the whole company made me feel so welcome and I genuinely loved every minute of it, so when Drew asked me if I fancied coming back and becoming a giant, talking, man-eating plant... how could I possibly say no?

“I’ve been a rugby player, I’ve been a Genie and now apparently I’m a plant! I’m not entirely sure where my career goes after this, but I absolutely cannot wait. Audrey II is such a brilliant character and we are going to have a lot of fun with it.”

The cult musical comedy Little Shop of Horrors tells the story of meek flower-shop assistant Seymour Krelborn, who discovers a strange and unusual plant that promises him everything he has ever dreamed of.

There is, unfortunately, one tiny problem.

It has a taste for blood.

As Audrey II grows, so does Seymour’s fame, but the plant’s appetite quickly becomes impossible to satisfy, leading to one of musical theatre’s funniest, darkest and most gloriously ridiculous stories.

Featuring iconic songs including Suddenly, Seymour, Somewhere That’s Green,Dentist! and the instantly recognisable title number, Little Shop of Horrors has become one of the world’s best-loved musicals.

Director Drew Baker said:

“I’m absolutely thrilled that Gareth is coming back to Pembrokeshire. We had such a brilliant time with him during Aladdin and audiences completely took him to their hearts.

“When we started talking about Audrey II, the idea of Gareth voicing this enormous killer plant just made us laugh immediately, and once you hear it, you can't really imagine anybody else doing it.

“This production of Little Shop of Horrors is going to be big, bold, ridiculous and enormous fun. And yes, we are building him a very, very big plant!”

Drew continued:

“There is something really special about being able to create productions like this here in Pembrokeshire.”

Gareth already has one warning for audiences:

“Come and see the show, have a brilliant night and whatever you do... don’t feed the plant!”

Little Shop of Horrors is directed by Drew Baker and will be on stage at the Boulevard Theatre, Milford Haven, from September 24 to 26.

With a killer score, a giant talking plant, one seriously unhinged dentist and now a Welsh rugby legend hungry for blood, this is one trip to the florist that Pembrokeshire audiences won't want to miss.