A Devon theatre has partnered up with the NHS for a bloody good cause.

Exeter’s Northcott Theatre will host a special blood typing event just before the opening night of Little Shop of Horrors on Thursday, October 1 to support the NHS in finding rare blood types for donation.

Held at the theatre on the University of Exeter campus, the public are invited to participate with a quick finger prick that will show their likely blood type.

The test itself takes about five minutes and will reveal the lifesaving power of their blood and the amazing difference their blood donation could make.

Cast members of the theatre’s production of Little Shop of Horrors will also be on site to take part in the event, with a few outbursts to be expected from the blood-thirsty Audrey II singing ‘Feed Me!’This ‘

What’s Your Blood Type’ event is part of the NHS Blood & Transplant’s initiative to encourage blood donations and identify priority and rare blood types. The event will coincide with the opening of the theatre’s anticipated revival of the iconic stage musical, Little Shop of Horrors, in which a carnivorous plant lusts for human blood.

Exeter Northcott Creative Director Martin Berry said: ‘We are thrilled to be using the platform of our upcoming production of Little Shop of Horrors to support the NHS with this blood typing event. While we must keep feeding Audrey II, blood donation saves lives, so we hope to see you there!’

In the Northcott’s production, the man-eating plant will be played by powerhouse vocalist Dashaun Vegas alongside an impressive full cast that includes up-and-comer Scott McClure as Seymour and an accomplished Leigh Quinn as Audrey. In the show, a naive florist Seymour buys an unusual plant from an exotic plant seller on Skid Row only to discover its demanding appetite for human blood.

With the promise of fame, fortune, and the love of his crush Audrey, Seymour is manipulated by the alien plant into feeding it fresh blood.We need blood and you’ve got more than enough!

The ‘What’s Your Blood Type’ event will take place at the Northcott on October 1 between 10am to 3.30pm and Little Shop of Horrors will run from October 1 to 17.