Shrek The Musical

‘Shrek The Musical’ is based on the hugely successful DreamWorks motion picture ‘Shrek’ featuring the voice talents of Mike Myers as The Ogre Shrek and Eddie Murphy as Donkey.   This production has been directed and choreographed by Becca White in her first role as Director.  The children have been split into two casts and, on the day we went, it was the Blue Cast performing. 

Shrek, played by Jack Charlesworth, seems like a guy completely happy with his solitude, even having keep out signs around his swamp, but we quickly realise there is a deeper reason for his need to keep himself isolated. Jack played Shrek with a pitch perfect Scottish accent commanding the stage while challenging the audience mischievously wiggling his hips. I loved the way he came out of the fairytale book as he narrated his own sad story while his Ogre parents gleefully blew party blowers.  I also liked how his character developed as his feelings for Fiona grew. 

However, Princess Fiona wasn’t going to let him hog the proceedings, so she comes bursting out of the Fairy Tale book nearly knocking Shrek over in the process.  Fiona, played by Emma Parker was a feisty, goofy character who showed that being locked up for all those years had had a definite effect on her social skills and world outlook.  Obsessed with her perfect fairy tale ending that she had been waiting for, she even spoke in Fairy Tale jargon when she first meets him.   We quickly realise they have both been rejected by their parents but have reacted to the situation differently. Shrek chooses solitude to protect himself while Fiona longs for her handsome princess to finally break the curse. 

We also have a host of colourful happy villagers who surround the young Shrek threatening him with various axes and spears showing him that he was not welcome in the perfect village, this is further evidence as to why Shrek behaves the way he does rejecting all things twee and cute realising that he is destined to play out his own fairy tale story. 

Things however are changing, and Shrek soon becomes a reluctant host to a variety of fairy tale creatures and personalities who have been evicted from their homes and dumped in his swamp. 

Here we have a delightful assortment of iconic well known fairytale and fictional characters, featuring the Three Bears (with a delightful baby bear played by Elsie who also played the young Princess Fiona) Three Little Pigs, the Wicked Witch,  Fairy Godmother, Humpty Dumpty, Pinocchio, the Ugly Duckling, The Sugar Plum Fairy, Peter Pan, The Mad Hatter and the White Rabbit.  Some standout performances from Jaz Curzon as down-trodden Pinocchio, with her extendable nose which grew when she lied about being a real boy, Dionne Roberts as the gentle Fairy Godmother who also played Dragon, Amy Coxhill as the feisty Sugar Plum Fairy (who also voiced Gingy the Gingerbread man who was the lead vocal on ‘Freak Flag’) and Zoe Nelson as Humpty Dumpty. 

On the way to Duloc, Shrek meets the irrepressible Donkey played with camp brilliance by Luke Ogley-Neeve.  Luke was fabulous as Donkey creating his own unique character.  Desperate for a friend, Donkey inveigles himself into Shrek’s company and together they set off to challenge the perpetrator persecuting the fairy tale creatures.

With great pomp and circumstance, we meet the villain himself, Lord Farquaad (Jacob Minard), a diminutive character with a huge chip on his tiny shoulders.  Jacob was a darker villain with a sinister style.  Laughing manically, he ruthlessly tortured poor Gingy for information about the Princess destined to be his bride. Could he be Fiona’s ‘fairy tale ending?’

Arriving at Duloc (a not-so-subtle dig at Disneyworld) we meet a host of dancing red and blue dolls mirroring Lord Farquaad’s costume and chorus line of show girl knights high kicking to a Hollywood styled number.  I loved Donkey’s ‘I love Duloc’ T-shirt and Deely boppers and the quip about Hugh Jackman. 

So, Shrek is off on his ‘noble quest’ and we finally get to meet the Princess in the Tower.  First young Fiona (Elsie) sings passionately about her belief in her fairy tale ending, just like the Princesses in her story book.  Next, an older Fiona (Elizabeth) continues the countdown of days that she has been incarcerated in the tower, until we finally meet Fiona herself.  Emma played Fiona with a perky optimism while never giving up hope that she will be rescued, just like the story says she will.  I loved her character development as the Ogre inside her gradually began to show itself with mischievous glee.  Her budding romance with Shrek was also beautifully done. 

Before Shrek can rescue Fiona, he must deal with the terrifying Dragon.  Dionne was fabulous as the sassy dragon, the satin sleeves of her costume echoing dragon wings as she strutted around in her towering purple platform boots belting out her song.  Dragon has her backing singers the chained-up knights and we think Donkey has finally met his match. 

In the meantime, in a funny scene, Shrek finally meets Fiona who is still determined to play her stereotype part in her fairy tale story. I loved the way that panels were moved around the stage as Shrek fought the dragon until she was finally trapped behind a fortress wall enabling their escape.

Obviously, Shrek is not the handsome prince she had imagined, and she is disappointed, shrilly shouting at him and Donkey insisting that they must camp overnight.  I loved the song sung by Shrek about his dream life realising that he too had been brainwashed to play his part as the stereotypical Ogre. 

Morning breaks with a lovely lighting effect of a sunrise, and with another Disney dig as Princess Fiona sings with a brightly coloured feathered bird (causing it to explode with a strident high note) and tap dances with rats.  

Shrek soon realises Fiona is not typical Princess material as they start to banter over who had the worst childhood, finishing with a hilarious burping and farting contest.  Lord Farquaad also sings about being rejected by his own father bitterly deriding his ‘daddy’ and how successful he had become.  I loved the pretend weightlifting and his orange wig making him look like a mini-Henry VIII!

Donkey suspects that Fiona and Shrek are developing feelings for each other so, channelling his best Barry White wearing glasses and using his tail as a microphone, he enlists the Three Blind Mice to encourage Shrek to make a move.  I loved the silver sparkly dresses and attention to details on the mice costumes including white fur jackets and heart shaped glasses and silver sticks. 

Despite Donkey’s efforts, Shrek is still unable to reveal his secret feelings, but Fiona has a secret of her own.  I loved the use of the little shed featuring a window which glowed green in the transformation scene and the subtle outline of Ogre ears.  Donkey discovers her secret but is overheard by Shrek who gets the wrong end of the stick.  Feeling betrayed by both Donkey and Fiona Shrek summons Farquaad who arrives on a painted wooden horse and then he stomps off to reclaim his swamp. 

The fairy tale creatures, now evicted from the swamp, realise they are freaks but to embrace what they are as they powerfully sing a rebel song of defiance marching forward and backwards echoing Les Misérables choreography.  

In another funny scene, a huffy Donkey, challenges Shrek over his stubbornness but says true friends forgive each other and lets slips Fiona was actually in love with him.  Will Shrek get finally get to declare his love for Fiona and will Fiona get to her kiss and take love’s true form? 

I was really impressed with the bright colourful set (created and designed by Zoe Banyard and Becca White) featuring lots of details, even the floor had been painted to create Shrek’s swamp with trees and a blue-sky background.  I loved the Fairy Tale book featuring a sparkly green ‘S’ and the use of panels to create Lord Farquaad’s castle and the Dragon’s lair.  There was also the clever use of lighting (Zoe Banyard) to create atmosphere such as ominous red for the castle and green for Shrek’s swamp and lots of swirling spotlights, so the stage was always well lit. 

It was lovely to see a live band, led by Musical Director Pete Lack, featuring Rupert Trippett, Lisa Morrison, Rob Deakin, Andy Garner, Jordan Hume, Marie Hooper and Sally Russell who coped effortlessly with the score’s varying musical themes and styles featuring lots of sneaky musical references. 

Choreography by Becca, in her dual role as director, was very well-done including Fiona and the tap dancing rats and an uplifting joyous freak out to ‘Freak Flag.’ 

Costumes were very good reflecting the characters from the film, and Shrek’s make-up and prosthetics were excellent creating his recognisable character while allowing all his facial expressions to be clearly seen.  I loved all the tiny attention to details such as wooden effect tights for Pinocchio and tiny ears on rats and mice. All the fairy tale characters had recognisable costumes and props reflecting their personalities.  

It was lovely to meet Becca at the beginning and end of the show and the opportunity to meet some of the cast afterwards.  Well done to all the wonderful chaperones who enable the younger ensemble members to take part.  I am also pleased to confirm that the programme has fulfilled all criteria and will be entered into next year’s programme competition.

Finally, well done Becca White and your team of creatives for bringing this wonderful show, about acceptance and being yourself, beautifully and colourfully to life.

 

 

 

 

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