THERE can't be many actors who take a starring role in a cult musical and yet the audience will never see them, writes JOHN ANSON.

But for Josh Wilmott that has been his daily routine as the Little Shop of Horrors has toured some of the country's biggest theatres and which ends its run in Blackpool later this month.

Josh operates Audrey II, the giant, man-eating plant which is at the heart of the show.

"Oh, if I do say so myself, I am the main part of the show," laughed Josh. "But joking aside, without Audrey 2 you'd just have a story about a flower shop where nothing happens."

Audrey II grows from small seedling to 12-foot man eating monster during the show with Josh being responsible for her bigger than life appearances.

"The first time you see Audrey II she's a hand puppet and then the second version she's operated by Sam Lupton, who plays Seymour," said Josh. "I operate pod three and four.

"For pod three I have my right arm on a handle on the upper jaw and my left arm on a handle in the lower jaw. I move it in a crocodile motion while sitting a plant pot. I can move my upper body around if I have the strength to do it – it’s quite tiring.

"For, pod four, which is massive, I'm standing upright in the pot. I've got various handles to pull and I can tilt Audrey left and right and also operate the mouth. It's a bit like flying a helicopter."

Josh admits that Audrey II is something of a dream role. He's trained as a puppeteer as well as an actor and has previously been in the hit show Avenue Q.

"I love the artistry of making an inanimate object come to life," said Josh. "It’s what I love and it really doesn’t phase me that I don’t get seen. It's great fun and although it may sound quite pretentious but I do have a love affair with puppetry.

"I've always wanted to do something that combines musical theatre and puppets. I loved being in Avenue Q and then to be able to do another amazing cult show that's got also got puppets in it, I was over the moon."

Josh admits he's never been fitter due to the demands of operating Audrey II.

"The fourth puppet, although a lot bigger and heavier is actually easier to operate," he said. "The main problem is that when I'm in pod four I can't do anything myself, I have to be wheeled on stage.

"It's not the other actors I need to trust, it’s the guys backstage. The moment they put me in the puppet I can't do anything and they will constantly be poking me through the costume trying to tickle me as I’m very ticklish."

Although operating a giant puppet, Josh has also had to rely on his acting abilities

"I have to make sure that Audrey lip synch properly which means moving her lips to all the syllables," he said. "I've also got to show to the audience that Audrey II is breathing even when she's not doing anything so you can't switch off.

"You can't snooze in the plant which is a shame because I’ve found a really comfortable sleeping position. I'm terrified that one day I’ll fall asleep when I’m meant to be eating someone!"

Being encased in a giant puppet also means that Josh hasn't got a clue what the audience can see.

"We did video the rehearsals," he said, "and from that I discovered I don’t have to move much at all to make give Audrey II the right expression. I actually had to rein it in a bit because the puppet is so big, the slightest movement really projects itself through the whole theatre."

As Audrey II chomps her way through the cast, Josh revealed he has got his fellow actors worried.

"When Audrey eats someone they go under my legs," said Josh. "They are terrified that on the final night of the show I’ll be standing their naked and that’s not going to be the best view for them as they come down!"

After the curtain comes down in Blackpool, Little Shop of Horrors will end its UK tour and Josh will bid farewell to Audrey II.

"At the end of the run, I am going on holiday because been living out of a suitcase for past year and a half, " said Josh. "It will be nice to have a rest for a bit and not do anything. Having said that if Little Shop of Horrors was to extend its run, I’d jump back into that plant like a shot."

The Little Shop of Horrors, Grand Theatre, Blackpool, Wednesday, November 22 to Saturday, November 26.

Box office 01253-290190.