Shrek The Musical

So lovely to see the youngsters on stage – they always give everything they’ve got and this production was no exception.  Most of us have seen the story of Shrek as a film or on the TV, the tale of an ogre who had a lot to cope with and being green didn’t help!

It all started with a lovely musical number – Big Bright Beautiful World but not so lovely was the fact that Mama and Papa Ogre were sending their son Shrek out into the world to fend for himself so this little ogre (Jack Gribble) was sent on his way.  However, he soon grows up and Henry Stevens carried on the role in excellent style throughout.

So, the embittered Shrek lives alone in a swamp as no one wants to know an ugly green ogre but his lonely life is disrupted by a good many fairy tale characters who have been banished from the Kingdom of Duloc by the evil Lord Farquaad.  This character was played by Anthony Winstanley on his knees!  He may have been lacking in height but he was extremely evil!  The Fairy Tale folk want to come and live in Shrek’s swamp but he is not keen on the idea.  He makes a journey to see the evil Farquaad to try and get his swamp back with a lot of encouragement from his fairy tale visitors.  He meets a very talkative Donkey along the way who is played by Oliver Jaquet who gave us an extremely talkative and lively Donkey  - a joy to behold.

There are too many fairy tale characters to mention by name but suffice it to say that they all played their parts in great fashion, whether they were the three little pigs or three blind mice or many of the other well known creatures appearing.  I was really impressed that so many of them had other parts to play which must have necessitated some very quick changes.  Well done to all those in the dressing rooms who must have helped enormously with the transformations.

So, back to the characters – Darcey Hagues played Princess Fiona who was eventually to become Shrek’s one true love – a lovely part played in a really charming way and we mustn’t forget Ruby Hicks as Young Fiona and Isla-Rose Thomas the teenage Fiona.

Zoe Brewer played the part of the Dragon - she portrayed this character as a real baddie who was beautifully elegant as well.

So the story progressed and as is often the case with fairy tales, there was a happy ending but with many trials and tribulations along the way.

Apart from all the named characters there was also quite a large chorus of Villagers, Fairy Tale Characters, Knights, Woodland Creatures, Deer and Rats, all working so well to add to the story.

All the performers were in good voice and the movement of so many on a relatively small stage was very good indeed.

Wardrobe:  So many costumes to provide – well done to Sue Stewart and her team.  The makeup was excellent, especially Shrek’s head – great help from Nicola Downey. The programme made an interesting read and we mustn’t forget those taking on the all important front of house.

The scenery and set design was devised by Joanna Stevens and her construction and painting team had worked well to provide an ideal set.

Joanna Stevens headed the production team as Director and she was assisted by Linda and Chris Thompson.  Chris Thompson was also the Producer and Linda Thompson Musical Director who also assisted Joanna Stevens with the choreography.  From the direction of these four came an entertaining and most enjoyable show.  I have a feeling that Kermit the frog once said “It’s good to be Green” so there you have it!

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