SHREK the musical

My first experience of ‘Shrek’ and totally blown away with the action, colours, lighting, huge cast and dynamic movement, what a show! How wonderful for CSODS to return to the Pier and with such a show, the sell-out well deserved.

Andrea Wilson exchanging a leading lady role for the directorial role and what a brilliant job she did, quite inspirational and very imaginative. And with Mark Sharp as MD, assisted by Joanna Kemp as Chorus Mistress the notes on stage and in orchestra more than excellent. As for the choreography, Georgie Galloway had the huge cast in overdrive with their energy and well drilled routines. Add to this an excellent cast, the whole overall impression with that video-screen setting of kaleidoscopic colours and non-stop movement, and that amazing vibrant and multiple costume plot, I dare not think about the budget for this show, but it was worth every penny spent for the result.

Certainly this production attracted a cast of exceptional calibre from all quarters of Norfolk to add to the CSODS regulars, a production to be a part of, and to enjoy the fun with a happy and professional outlook. The casting of the major principals so very important in this show and how well realised throughout, and all vocally perfect for their roles. Joseph Betts in the title role had a tour de force wearing the makeup and prosthetics for the character, we know about the excellent singing voice from other productions, but this was the extra with the acting and dancing, and how well related to the other characters. His friend the Donkey from Daniel Smith had the friendly and encouraging personality plus the voice and attention seeking needed in this duo. Princess Fiona, Emmie Wright, had the looks, that voice, and the personality to react with ogre and donkey as she lived her life in this adventure; loved the younger Fionas in their performances. And for humour and really objectionable character, how could one rate Lord Farquaad from Adam Wengrow (plus the cramp inducing posture), a villainous yet could be loveable person? These four are the king-pins of this story and have to be the casting priority standard and how they lived up to this requirement.

The huge cast which doubled and trebled their roles as they costume-changed in multiple modes were amazing in their talents and personalities, all singing and dancing to extra-ordinary heights, what a production to perform in and the characters all so worthy really of individual merit and mention (but unfortunately impossible for space). Gingy (Charlotte Drewell), Pinocchio (Harry Wilson), and Dragon (Lauren Bryant) need a mention. Also with their multiple named roles in main story and fairy-tale Laura Marwell-James, Nick Bird, Emma Galley, Robin Taylor, Jon Winnett, Daisy Wilson, Neil Robertson. Loved the Three Blind Mice, the Bear Family, the Three Little Pigs, the Witch (Kat Tindall) and the Fairy Godmother (Emma Galley), Prince Charming (Robin Taylor) and the many named fairy-tale characters from every pantomime, plus the Tap Dancing Rats, the Guards, the Knights, the Dragonettes, the Puppeteers, and the Skeletons, what a cast!

So although very dependent on those four main principals, the whole cast should be congratulated on the production, this enjoyable family show was a fun evening for all in the audience, who reacted well with participation and general laughter and excitement, the applause said it all.

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