IT'S double the musical theatre fun for six young performers from the Colchester Operatic Society's junior troupe, CO2.

That's because they're all appearing as the Ronnettes in the smash hit musical Little Shop of Horrors, which takes to the Mercury Theatre stage in Colchester next week.

Sophie Knights, one of the young performers taking part, explains: "Usually there's just three Ronnettes in the show but they decided it would be better if they doubled that up to six."

Better for the show but also pretty good news for the six young girls taking the part, which as well as Sophie, will be Lorna Perrin; Jasmine Triadi; Kassia Wall; Sophie Ramsey and Shalom Asemota.

Little Shop of Horrors is perhaps best known for the Frank Oz film which starred Rick Moranis as Seymour, a hapless hapless florist shop worker who raises a plant that feeds on human blood and flesh.

The musical is based on the low-budget 1960 black comedy film The Little Shop of Horrors and so composer Alan Menken wrote the music in the style of early Sixties rock and roll, doo-wop and early Motown.

With well-known tunes, including Little Shop of Horrors, Skid Row (Downtown), Somewhere That's Green, and Suddenly, Seymour, it has had several West End and Broadway revivals the latest of which was back in 2007 when Alistair McGowan and Sheridan Smith received Olivier nominations for their respective roles as Orin, the sadistic dentist, and Seymour's love interest, Audrey.

Sophie adds: "The Ronnettes are basically the narrators of the story and kind of hold the whole show together. We never leave the stage, so although it's pretty hard and there's a lot to remember, it's a really great part to get."

Lorna agrees: "It's the best being a Ronnette. Most of us have been in a CO2 show before so we knew each other pretty well and once we started rehearsals on the production we gelled together pretty quickly."

"Teamwork is so important for the Ronnettes," Jasmine adds, "and that's what we have been working on mostly. For me the best bit is when we do our harmonies, which are just so lovely to sing."

Little Shop of Horrors is at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester, from October 4 to 14. For tickets call the box office on 01206 573948.