Shrek

On Wednesday, 2nd July, I had the pleasure of attending Newcastle Musical Theatre Company’s performance of Shrek at the magnificent Theatre Royal Newcastle. Along with many of my NODA colleagues, including the President Graham Liverton and his wife Ann, we were treated to grand circle seats and a warm welcome reception. Attending in our cocktail dresses, tuxedos, and ball gowns, added to the grand atmosphere of the evening and as a huge fan of both the film and the musical, I was thrilled to witness this production by such a distinguished theatre company.

If you have lived under a rock since 2001 and somehow have never heard of Shrek, the story follows a grumpy, yet lovable ogre named Shrek who is forced to embark on an adventure when a horde of fairy tale creatures invades his peaceful swamp, to reclaim his land.  Shrek agrees to rescue Princess Fiona from a dragon-guarded tower for the deceitful Lord Farquaad. Along the journey, Shrek is joined by a hilarious and loyal donkey. Together, they face various challenges, and Shrek discovers that true love and friendship come in the most unexpected forms.

Scott Allenby played Shrek and delivered an outstanding performance, enduring the heat of the theatre and the weight of heavy prosthetics with admirable grace. His portrayal was both endearing and compelling, capturing the essence of the lovable ogre perfectly. The audience was particularly captivated during his rendition of 'When Words Fail,' a moment that was profoundly moving and beautifully executed. It was also wonderful to see both Shrek and Fiona ‘let loose’ in ‘I Think I Got You Beat’. This number, despite its obvious humour, is where the two ultimately realise their feelings for each other. Beyond all the ‘hot air,’ both actors portrayed the necessary vulnerability and affection for each other and perfected this number.

Donkey's character, famously portrayed by the iconic Eddie Murphy in the films, is the primary source of comic relief in the show. James Clayton-Forster brought Eddie Murphy's character to life with his own unique flair, infusing every scene with humour, energy, and impeccable line delivery. His performance of 'Make a Move' had the entire audience laughing out loud. His dynamic presence and infectious charisma made Donkey one of the most memorable characters of the evening.

The role of the Dragon was double cast, and I had the pleasure of watching Devon Doleman’s performance. As this is one of my favourite parts of the show, I was thoroughly impressed with what I witnessed. Doleman’s deep, soulful, and powerful vocals perfectly complemented the impressive giant dragon. Seeing and hearing them both together for the first time was a standout moment of the evening, and subtle touches such as her opera cigarette holder added an element of villainy and sass to the character.

The wonderful role of Lord Farquaad was played by Jonathan Goodman who I must admit I was rather scared to meet as his makeup was very intimidating! His facial expressions were glorious to watch, and the makeup and costume only enhanced his performance. 'What’s Up, Duloc?' was a great musical number and an absolute highlight of the show, showcasing Goodman’s impeccable comedic timing and stage presence.

Pinocchio was played by Dan Dickinson, whose one-liners and comedic timing brought the character to life brilliantly. He added a layer of charm and humour that resonated well with the audience. Great nose-ography!

Savannah McKenzie masterfully portrayed the Sugarplum Fairy and Gingy. Her voice for Gingy was spot-on, bringing the iconic Muffin Man scene with Farquaad to life perfectly. Additionally, Savannah’s singing voice was amazing and left the audience in awe whilst looking beautiful as the Sugarplum Fairy.

The last of our principals was Fiona, played by Caroline Sabiston. Fiona, as described by the character herself, is both sweet and bratty, making it a challenging role to perfect. Caroline excellently conveyed Fiona's gentleness and longing in 'Morning Person' and her brash, demanding side in 'I Think I Got You Beat.' Her portrayal captured the essence of Princess Fiona entirely. Caroline masterfully embodied every element of this role, making her the perfect Fiona.

Other noteworthy performances included Mark Stenton as the Captain of Guards. In a production with such a vibrant ensemble of characters, this role could easily have been overlooked. However, Mark's outstanding character choices, including a distinctive accent and humorous moments, brought depth and amusement to the character, leaving the audience in stitches.

I was captivated by the stunning vocals of Elouise Damo as Mama Ogre. She set the bar for the show with her impressive vocals. What a beautiful voice.

The three blind mice, portrayed by Amy Fenwick, Gina Faed, and Laura Wood, significantly elevated this number. Their dance abilities are commendable, especially in heels! They truly made this number outstanding.

The most enthusiastic performance of the evening goes to Matilda Lawson-Jack. From the moment she entered the stage in her little sunflower costume, the young talent was brimming with joy, excitement, and glee. Both Michelle Coulson and I were captivated by her unbridled energy and charm, making her performance a delightful highlight of the show.

I cannot commend the entire cast of this show enough; the ensemble made this production truly exceptional. Their performance in 'Freak Flag' and 'Story of My Life' was nothing short of amazing. The singing from these talented players was remarkable and added immense depth and energy to the show. The three Fionas in ‘I Know It’s Today’ perfected their harmonies and delivered this number flawlessly and the singing and dancing in ‘Morning Person’ left me wanting more rats—a sentence I never thought I'd say! Congratulations to each and every one of you.

In film and animation, the likes of a green ogre, a talking donkey, a fire-breathing dragon and magic are quite easily achieved. However, translating Shrek to the stage and bringing these fantastical elements to life is no small feat and one that takes a lot of hard work and attention.

The technical prowess of the Theatre Royal greatly enhanced the production of Shrek. The seamless transitions of elaborate sets, the high wires that added authenticity to characters like Tinkerbell, and the vast stage that accommodated a giant inflatable dragon created a truly immersive experience. Additionally, the exceptional quality of sound and lighting contributed significantly to making the fantastical elements of the story come alive.

Though visually striking, effects such as disco balls and strobe lighting sometimes felt overdone resulting in the effect becoming less special. More thoughtfully applied, these could have better enhanced the magical moments on stage. Similarly, while aerial appearances created a whimsical atmosphere, at times these felt unconsidered and overused such as Tinkerbell appearing in a random scene and the witch flying across the stage in the finale, therefore a more restrained approach might have preserved the magic of these effects.

From entering the theatre, the audience was transported into the whimsical fairytale world, complete with intricate details that made the setting come alive. Whisking us away to the dragon's lair, the towering castle, and the bustling town of Duloc, the use of vibrant colours, innovative lighting, and cleverly constructed movable pieces created an immersive experience. The attention to detail in the set design truly brought the fairy tale world to the stage, enhancing the magical atmosphere of the production. While the overall set design was impressive, I must acknowledge that some scene transitions were not entirely seamless, as stagehands appeared mid-scene dressed in plain black uniforms. These instances had the unintended effect of pulling the audience out of the enchanting fairy tale world that had been meticulously crafted on stage and is perhaps something to consider in future productions.

A show filled with fairy tale creatures needs to have costumes to match, and the costumes were indeed wonderful. The Queen of Hearts and Humpty Dumpty's costumes were some of my favourites. Shrek looked perfect and the attention to detail across the whole fairy tale troop was immaculate.

The success of this remarkable production cannot go without commending the exceptional talents behind the scenes. Director and choreographer Sandra Laidler and Assistant director Carl Luke-Flanders visionary direction and innovative choreography brought a fresh   dynamic energy to the show, ensuring every moment was engaging and memorable. Musical Director Malcolm Moffat's expert guidance and orchestration elevated the entire experience with his exquisite musical direction. Together, their combined expertise and dedication have undoubtedly made this production of Shrek an unforgettable triumph.

In conclusion, the production of Shrek at the Theatre Royal was a testament to the incredible talent and dedication of everyone involved. From the dazzling performances of the cast to the technical wizardry behind the scenes and the beauty of the set and the costumes, every element combined to create a truly magical and memorable experience. Congratulations to all involved and thank you again for the wonderful evening.

 

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