Shrek

My thanks to CHAOS MAD for their invitation to see their latest production at the Drill Hall Chepstow, the ever popular “SHREK” The Musical. This is a major production for any company, with its many and varied fairy tale characters that all have an intrinsic role within this much-loved story. With a larger-than-life principal cast[Farquar being the exception]  constantly changing scenery, numerous changes of costume and characters and  limited stage space, I must congratulate the production team under the guidance of Director Hazel Guppy on their achievement in bringing this show to the community.

Davin O’Keefe took on the role of Shrek and absolutely made it his own. He burst on to the stage and from his first words convinced the audience he was the man for the job. A pleasure to watch from start to finish. A great voice and looked the part with every action and expression. My congratulations on an excellent performance.

The Princess Fiona Played in three parts by Ava Swift [Young Fiona]    Angela Power [Teen Fiona] both girls were confident in their roles and sang well together with the adult Fiona played by Marianne Bowen. Good characterisation from Marianne with some great comic timing and lovely facial expression. An excellent finish to the first act joined by Shrek and Donkey with the song  “Who I’d  be”.

An outstanding performance from Natasha Kus as the incorrigible Donkey. Every action, movement, emotion and sound was so right. An excellent characterisation with perfect comic timing. 

Small but powerful Lord Farquar, played by Edward Preece, with some discomfort I imagine for a tall man. The character that everyone loves to hate played with style and arrogance as fitting the part. He had the voice just right and danced with style. You had my sympathy and my respect. Well done.

Playing multiple roles, Izzy Brown though not very frightening took on the role of the lady dragon that had kept Fiona captive. Many of the cast took on multiple roles as well as maintaining their individual fairy tale characters and I must congratulate you all on the tremendous effort you made to bring this show to life. It must have been great fun, at least I hope so.

The views in this report are solely of the author.

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