When you're taking on a cult musical, itself based on a cult film, you've got to be at the top of your game.

Luckily, the Torch Theatre Company have hit all the right notes in their latest production of the superbly macabre sci-fi spoof musical 'Little Shop of Horrors'.

Speaking to me after the curtain came down on the night I attended, director Peter Doran admitted that 'Little Shop', with its mix of knockabout humour, puppetry and dynamic staging, has presented him with some of the biggest production headaches since he returned to the Torch.

Well, if that's the case, I'll gladly refund him the cost of his aspirins, for what I saw was two hours of flawless entertainment!

Not quite as cultish as 'Rocky Horror Picture Shop' and therefore more accessible, 'Little Shop of Horrors' explores a similar theme, being a wonderful spoof of both musicals and a plethora of world in peril '50s horror/sci-fi films, all parcelled up with a witty tongue-in-cheek script and some downright funky songs.

A blend of '50s style rock 'n' roll, bee-bop and '60s soul, the music, like the script, pays homage to its genre origins, and in particular the classic Roger Corman B movie of the same name that gave it its main inspiration.

I defy anyone not to be tapping their feet and clapping along with the punchy score, helmed by musical director James Williams.

With Chiffon, Crystal and Ronnette (Karin Diamond, Jill Draper and Nina Kristofferson) acting like a Greek chorus, the tempo was set right from the outset with the titular Little Shop of Horrors setting us off on a rollercoaster ride of fun, laughs and just a few scares.

Set on Skid Row, effectively realised by designer Sean Crowley, the action centre's around Mushnik's struggling florist shop.

Mushnik (Dudley Rodgers returning to the role he played in the Torch some 12 years ago, and proving just as effective) is facing up to the fact that he will have to lay off his two employees, Seymour and Audrey.

However, Seymour has a plan to boost business and places in the window a 'strange and unusual plant' he discovered during a total eclipse.

Christened Audrey Two after the unrequited love of his life, the plant does its job, but then starts to wilt.

Despite trying every horticultural option known to him, Seymour is unable to revive the plant - until he pricks his finger and discovers that Audrey Two has a taste for blood.

After days of feeding Audrey Two from his own veins, Seymour realises that he cannot continue and enters into a Faustian pact with the plant, whereby he will find other sources of 'plant food' - and we're not talking Biotex - in return for fame, fortune and a chance of happiness with Audrey.

Things go swimmingly at first, but then Seymour discovers that when you drink with the devil, there is a horrible price to pay...!

Although rather more svelte than when he last appeared in Milford Haven, Christian Patterson was still in commanding form as the bumbling Seymour, while Kyra Williams was outstanding as the Monroesque Audrey - the person that is, not the plant!

Almost stealing the show in virtually every other role, and in particular as Audrey's sadistic dentist boyfriend Orin, was Garry Lake, but acting honours must go to Audrey Two, probably the most spectacular and animated piece of scenery to grace the Torch stage.

Voiced in gravelly, soulful style by Lake, and manipulated by Rachael Canning, Audrey Two was awesome vegetation, dominating proceedings every bit as much as it dominated Seymour!

Bearing in mind Audrey Two's eating habits, there are some moments of cartoon-style violence and there is a little mild swearing, which some might find offensive, but it takes nothing away from the outlandish sense of fun which gives the impression that the cast are enjoying themselves every bit as much as the audience.

In the programme notes, the show's lyricist, Howard Ashman, states that the script is so over the top, that the cast should play it straight, and Doran has heeded this advice, crafting a marvellously enjoyable show that zips along to an unmissable finale, without ever having to resort to camp or low humour.

Just the right sort of entertainment for the Hallowe'en period, 'Little Shop of Horrors' runs at the Torch Theatre, Milford Haven, until November 3.

Go see it, you'll never look at an aspidistra in the same light again!