Shrek the Musical

SHREK the Musical… a musical performed by SONG at The Atkinson Theatre, Lord Street, Southport on Thursday, 7th April, 2022

Based on a book written by William Steig, with music by Jeanine Tesori and Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaine… Shrek the Musical JR is based on the 2001 Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation Film and tells the tale of Shrek, an ogre who lives alone in a swamp! One day, Shrek finds his swamp invaded by banished fairy tale misfits who have been cast off by Lord Farquaad. Shrek sets off with a wisecracking donkey to confront Farquaad, who hands him a task — if he rescues Princess Fiona, his swamp will be righted. Shrek tries to win Fiona’s love, but a fairy tale wouldn't be complete without a few twists and turns along the way.

It really does seem like only yesterday that I was sat here in The Atkinson watching SONG perform Elf; but, if my ‘maths’ are correct, I think I am right in suggesting it was about sixteen weeks ago! So, take Christmas and New Year out the equation, then you end up with just fourteen weeks; one rehearsal per week, to put a musical on stage… ’OH TO BE YOUNG AGAIN’!  Well, to each and all, well done, be proud of what you have all achieved in such a short space of time! 

There is little doubt that the ’Production Team’ worked extremely hard as well… John Coates (Director), Harry Corcoran (Assistant), David Wall (Musical Director) and Kim Helm (Choreographer), doing her first show with SONG, should all be congratulated; the ‘fruits of your labours’ were summed up perfectly by the audience reaction at the end… applause and the ‘standing ovation’… well done guys, be ever so proud!

I’ve said this before and I’ll no doubt say it again… ‘What makes a good show great?’… ‘THE CHORUS’!   So, it is credit to both cast and Production Team, for ensuring that no matter when or where a cast member was on stage, they were always interested and involved. Most chorus members had three roles to play and play them they did… from first note to last they worked their ‘socks off’… be ever so proud!

Ensemble/Chorus… I am just going to make reference to their main role, all had others… Zara Newton (Mama Ogre), Lucas Goodman (Papa Ogre), Harry Corcoran (King Harold), Abigail Bond (Queen Lillian), Megan Lawson (Young Shrek), Evie Twist (Dragon), Jack Smith (Captain of the Guard), Gabriella Agrimi (Young Fiona), Eleanor Clarke (Teenage Fiona), , Poppy Coyle (White Rabbit), Georgia Hankin (Humpty Dumpty), Nathan Power (Mad Hatter), Georgia Harding (Mama Bear), Isabelle Culshaw (Evil Queen), Fleur Wigmore (Baby Bear), Holly Partington (Tinkerbell), Bethany Rose (Wicked Witch), Serafina Campolucci Bordi (Ugly Duckling), Annabel Harrison (Pig), Sienna Agrimi (Red Riding Hood), Elesha Nolan (Fairy Godmother), Sophie Freeman Eaton (Pig), Evieanne Allen (Shoemaker Elf), Grace Curry (Tweedledee), Emilie Alty (Alice), Megan Conway (Tweedledum), Millie McKeown (Peter Pan) and Evan Thorpe (Pinocchio). I have left Evan until the end for one reason, to make special mention of his effort in this role. At best, a ‘supporting role’, probably more a ‘cameo’... but whatever you want to call it Evan made it his own, a perfect example of how to make the most from a smallish part!  Well done young man....be ever so proud!

Principals…  Oliver Bigley took on the role of ‘Shrek’, Jess Thorpe the role of ‘Princess Fiona’…‘Donkey’ was played by Orlando Campolucci Bordi, and ‘Lord Farquaad’ was played by Joseph Bigley.

At this point I usually ‘stick my neck out’ and select my favourite performances… but honestly, I know not where to start!  Why, because everyone on that stage gave of their best, this was very much a ‘team performance’ with every cast member contributing!  But, having said that, I do think it would be remiss of me not to ‘make mention’ our four leads who were all amazing!  Oliver Bigley in his second show with SONG was outstanding! Great characterisation, great stage presence and worked ever so well with ‘Princess Fiona’ and ‘Donkey’ which is an essential element if this production to succeed… well done young man!  Jess Thorpe created a wonderful ‘Princess Fiona’. Another with great stage presence, a beautiful singing voice and again, worked really well with ‘Donkey’ and ‘Shrek’, well done Jess, great job!  Joseph Bigley, brother to Oliver, also in his second show with SONG, did an amazing job with the role of Lord Farquaad!  Great characterisation, I really don’t know how those knees are going to feel at the end of the run… but an amazing job Joseph!  Orlando Campolucci Bordi took on the role of the ‘Noble Steed’… ‘Donkey’ and made the part his own!  Wonderful characterisation, great mannerisms, never out of character and worked ever so well with ‘Shrek’
and ‘Princess Fiona’… well done young man, wonderful job!  

I said I wouldn’t select favourites and I won’t, but I would like to make ‘special mention’ of two specific areas of this show which I thought had many highlights… CHOREOGRAPHY was amazing throughout!  Cleverly devised, played to the strengths of this young cast, totally enhanced the show… well done Kim… great job!   VOCALS… SONG have always been blessed with some outstanding young vocalists, some of whom could be seen and heard throughout this show. If I may, let me highlight just a few… ‘opening to Act One’… Mama and Papa Ogre: Zara Newton and Lucas Goodman gave us an amazing rendition of ‘Big Bright Beautiful World’ … what a way to open a show!  ‘Who I’d be’… sung really well by Shrek: Oliver Bigley. The entire scene with ‘Donkey’ was amazing, emotional and really well staged… well done!  ‘Forever’ was ‘the’ highlight for me… sung by Evie Twist as ‘The Dragon’. Evie has an outstanding voice and sang this to perfection, be ever so proud Evie!  ‘Morning Person’ opened Act 2 sung by Jess Thorpe as Princess Fiona.  Jess had to deal with with a rather ‘unruly cloth’ whilst singing this song, but deal with it she did!  Well done Jess sung and acted wonderfully well.  Finally… the ‘finale song’ ‘I’m a Believer’… sung, danced and acted by the entire cast… amazing, brought the house down…fitting end! 

The Band: under the guidance of David Wall (Musical Director); included Corey Gerrard (Keys1), Chris Rimmer (Key2), Michael McKay (Drums), Sarah Dutch (Reed1), Niamh Boland (Reed2), Cliff Ray (Trumpet), John Connolly (Trombone), Mike Ciaputa (Guitar), Adam Dutch (Bass), Janet Hitchen (Violin) and Jonathan Rowlands (Percussion). I did think the ‘volume’ was a little high in Act one, but appeared to have been sorted by Act 2… well done be proud!

Set and Staging were under the watchful eye of Andrea Shacksmith Claire (Stage Manager/Set Designer) and Si Grainger (Set Design). We did have one or two hiccups with the set, but this is live theatre and these things can and do happen. Overall, the set provided a good backdrop for all the many comings and goings!  Amanda Murphy was in control of the Props... which were apt and used well.  Jamie Moran created the Lighting Design which was great throughout and James Hussey did a good job on ‘follow spot’. Sound was good and in the capable hands of Matt Hughes. Costumes were an outstanding; created by Charades of St Helens and Karen Fairclough they really did enhance the show.  Chaperones… when staging any youth show the law requires that children are rightly safeguarded… Linda Davies, Bev Newton, Guy Wigmore (Safeguarding Officer) and their team provided that safety… well done folks!   I had to find time to speak about the ‘AMAZING DRAGON’ … Evie Twist providing the vocal element, with Zara Newton, Poppy Coyle, Abigail Bond, Holly Partington providing the movement for this magnificent beast… visually impressive, enhanced the show without doubt… well done girl’s great job!  

Again, I have said this before, but SONG is blessed with so many dedicated and experienced theatre people who continue to give of their time and energy in the development of youth theatre and it shows!  There are so many and being afraid to miss one out… can I just say ‘thanks’ to you all… you know who you are!

Thank you so much for inviting my wife and I. For your warm welcome, your hospitality throughout, and for allowing me to again speak with the ‘cast’ after the concert.  Wonderful atmosphere throughout, cannot wait to see you all again soon.

Stay safe, keep well…

Jim Briscoe
NODA NW
District 6 Rep

 

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