Shrek The Musical

MKAOS is fortunate to have such a fantastic venue in Milton Keynes. Likewise, The Venue MK is fortunate to have such a talented company, packing in the audiences.

Shrek The Musical is a great show and the whole cast had their energy levels in overdrive throughout. From the moment the seven year old Shrek, played by Lara Hansford, is given his marching orders at his birthday “party” by his parents, played by Stephen Johnson & Tanya Horwood. Their words ringing in his ears, as he sets of are telling him that it’s a big bright beautiful world…But not for you!

Similarly the young Princess Fiona, Anabel Robinson is sent to live in a tower.

Jump forward a few years and adult Shrek David Lovesy is living in blissful isolation in his swamp. Blissful that is until it is invaded by all the Fairy Tale creatures who have been evicted from Duloc by Lord Farquaad, Duloc’s pint sized ruler with the ego the size of a planet. James Down, plays the part superbly, scampering round on his knees with his little yellow legs and billowing cape used to maximum effect. (Just writing that made me smile again).

Shrek doesn’t want to share his swamp with the Fairy tale Creatures and they don’t want to be there, so they pluck up the courage and persuade Shrek to go and see Lord Farquaad.

On his way to Duloc Shrek inadvertently rescues Donkey, Kevin Long, from Lord Farquaad’s guards and much to Shrek’s annoyance is adopted by Donkey as his best friend. The chemistry between David and Kevin is great producing comic gold. The big bad tempered ogre and fast talking donkey are a great double act.

On meeting Farquaad for the first time, Shrek is yet again persuaded to do something he doesn’t really want to do. Namely rescue Princess Fiona from her tower, where she is guarded by a fire breathing dragon, in order that Farquaad can marry her and become King!

Princess Fiona has been waiting 8,423 days for her knight in shining armour to rescue her. Many had tried and all had failed. The lucky ones were only spared “because they sing back up” for the Dragon, Rachel Allen. Who, by the way, has a very powerful voice. Not all productions of Shrek have the actress providing the voice the Dragon on stage, but it works really well. The puppeteers did a great job of bringing the Dragon to life whilst Rachel looked stunning in her shimmering blue gown.

I know it’s today, Sung by Young, Teenage and Adult Fiona is my favourite song in the show. Annabel Robinson, Molly Davenport and Leah Scott sang it beautifully.

Shrek manages to trap the Dragon, but not before she has fallen in love with Donkey and the trio, Shrek Fiona & Donkey begin their journey back to Duloc.

Farquaad rides out to meet his bride, on his plastic horse, and although Shrek & Fiona now have feelings for each other Shrek is angry with her because of a conversation he overheard between Fiona and Donkey, in which she says, “who could love such an ugly beast”. Shrek believes she is referring to him but in fact she is talking about herself, as she has just explained to Donkey her curse. “By day one way, by night another”. Only loves first kiss can free her from a life in which she turns into an ogre every time the sun sets.

Because of the curse Fiona is desperate to marry before sunset so she sets off with Lord Farquaad to marry and receive her spell breaking kiss.

Before this we discover why Lord Farquaad hates the Fairy Tale Creatures. His parents were the princess, from the Princess & the Pea and Grumpy, from Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs. So in reality , he is one of them.

Donkey manages to convince Shrek that he needs to tell Fiona how he feels about her and with the help of the Dragon they reach the castle in the nick of time. Shrek and Fiona kiss. The Dragon turns Lord Farquaad into a crisp and they all live happily ever after.

You always expect a show to end with a bang but this one in effect ends with three fantastic numbers. Filling the stage with action, colour and great singing. Freak Flag, This is our Story and I’m a Believer, guarantee everyone leaves on a high.

The production team, Director John Dowell, Producer Kevin Amies, Musical Director Leigh Smith, Choreographer Juliet Lennox, Lighting Director Martin Putman and Stage Manager Steve Young, did a fantastic job with Shrek The Musical.

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