Shrek - The Musical

The Show

The musical version of the original film Shrek has become a popular choice for amateur companies, and understandably so. The show is packed with characters, colour, music and fun, and it’s good box-office. But it’s no easy undertaking. The complicated range of nursery rhyme characters all needing appropriate costume and makeup, the demands of the main principal parts, technical requirements and the cost of production make Shrek a formidable challenge. Judging by this opening performance, TMMTC rose to the challenge.

The Production

The show opened with an effective prologue, with young Shrek and young Princess Fiona being sent out into the Big, Bright, Beautiful World to develop their futures. The futures are far from rosy and the story of the musical centres on how they and numerous characters escape their disadvantages and find happiness.

The action throughout this production was sustained, with lively pace and bags of energy. It seemed just about every member of the supporting cast, when not on stage, was changing for their next appearance.

The Production, and the impressive Choreography, was in the experienced hands of Bernice Rowan, who is to be congratulated on pulling off an excellent and entertaining presentation of this complicated show.

The pre-recorded music was faultless, and the coordination of music and vocals under the skilled direction of MD & Conductor Rachael Wilson, never flagged.

The Cast

Every member of the Shrek cast is an individual character. Costumes, makeup and individual portrayals helped the audience identify them. Space prevents mentioning everyone, but suffice to say they all maintained their characters convincingly and with lively enthusiasm.

Particular congratulations to the younger cast members. Thomas (Young Shrek), Delilah (Young Fiona), and Flossie (Teen Fiona), all played their parts with maturity and presence at this performance. I’ve no doubt that Bow and Connie (Young & Teen Fionas at other performances) were equally delightful.

The trio I know It’s Today, sung by the three versions of the Princess was, for me, one of the musical highlights of the evening.

Prominent members of the supporting principal cast included Vikki Taylor as the Dragon, Jak Beasley (Pinocchio), and Kate Felts (Gingy, the Gingerbread Man), each of whom performed other roles too.

Vikki, who as the voice of the dragon was heard more than seen, rendered the powerful song Forever with drama and clarity. Kate, accompanied always by her character Gingy , gave the gingerbread ventriloquist-doll a character and voice all its own. Jak, complete with extending nose, was as believable as the unbelievable character of Pinocchio could be and, like Kate/Gingy, sustained an effective high-pitched vocalisation that I hope they both managed to maintain for the remaining shows.

Steph Lovegrove played the grown-up Princess Fiona with exuberance and attack. She gave it the lot, and achieved the near-impossible by dramatically persuading the audience to welcome her transition from bewildered Princess to happy Ogress!

Shrek is strong on comedy. Probably the most out-and-out comedic role is that of Lord Farquaad, the malevolent would-be King of Duloc. In the part, Ross Woods provided an hilarious interpretation of the vertically-challenged nobleman, looking suitably ridiculous and getting the most from some excellent comedy lines.

The two central characters are of course Shrek the Ogre, played here by Charlie Harris (who made a big impact in TMMTC’s Jekyll and Hyde in October) and Donkey, played by Dan Atkinson.

Dan’s energy, in the very effective donkey-costume, was sustained throughout and his ‘Eddie Murphy’ voice (surely no coincidence) and comedy timing gave full effect to his sympathetic and impatient relationship with his companion Shrek. An excellent performance, enjoyably exhausting to watch!

As the title character, Shrek the Ogre, Charlie Harris held the show faultlessly. His acting, characterisation and singing voice fitted the role perfectly and he took the audience with him on his journey of disappointment, humiliation and ultimate success with pathos and comedy.

The Technicals

Recent musicals often depend heavily on technical expertise. Shrek is no exception. In this production, the mostly-flown scenery moved smoothly and unobtrusively, and scene changes were achieved quickly with minimal disturbance.

The visual impact of the impressive ‘Dragon’ scene late in Act 1 was somewhat affected by the visibility of the skilled operators. While presumably, and admirably, aiming to achieve a Warhorse-like dramatic staging, a more camouflaged team might have reduced the distraction.

Lighting was extremely effective, and Sound, in particular the clarity of all characters’ voices and the effective synchronisation of sound effects, well executed.

Congratulations to technical leads Bernice Rowan and Sheritan Swan (Lighting), Neil Westley (Sound), Stage Manager Trevor Adams and all his Team and Crew for their impressive backstage support.

Huge congratulations also to the teams responsible for costumes and makeup. These were extremely effective for the whole cast, and for Shrek, Donkey and Farquaad in particular.

Thanks, TMMTC, for a very entertaining evening, and for an attractive and well-produced show programme. Congratulations to you all. My wife and I are looking forward to Spamalot in October.

© NODA CIO.  All rights reserved

 

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.