Shrek The Musical

This popular musical earned its stars here with a strong cast confident in song, acting and movement. Immediately the eye took in the large frame of the lonely ogre Shrek as he began his journey from the swamp to his final destination of claiming his love, Fiona. David Mack gave a very assured Shrek in fine voice and with clear diction behind his mask. His sparks flew when his swamp was invaded by the evicted fairy characters and his determination shone to deal with the evictor Lord Farquaad and get rid of them so setting himself on a journey then a quest. He engaged our sympathy from the start and maintained it when he showed anger and hurt at rejection. He and the leading lady Fiona showed great rapport. Fiona Scott provided poignancy at being cooped up all her life and humour as her rescuer knight Shrek did not conform to type. Her clear true voice carried well and, with Young Fiona Beth Taylor and Teen Fiona Erin Boyd, created lovely harmony. Fiona showed her own distress with her night time difficulties on the journey and a touching moment for both was the very strange meal they shared. Some of their highlight songs were I Know It’s Today, Build A Wall and the entertaining I got You Beat. Accompanying first Shrek then Fiona, the character Donkey delighted with his quick answers and sometimes craven moments. Louise Fairnie brought out the comedy and quirkiness of the role but was not so daft that he couldn’t see them falling in love. Louise immersed herself in the character with expressive face and animal like movement – and how she coped with those hooves! Likewise with Scott Glidden as Lord Farquaad whose antics, facial expressions and understanding of the nature of the man were a revelation. Every line had a judiciously raised eyebrow or grimace or gesture - pure theatre. Villainous and without mercy, yet moments like the dismounting and mounting the horse were truly wonderful comedy. Supporting the principals were a host of roles characterised not only by costume but by behaviour and song: the wonderful singing Dragon, Sarah-Louise Donnelly; the disconsolate Pinocchio, Joseph Gall; the forceful Humpty Dumpty, Leanne Cook and the young Shrek, Damon Munnik – and many more. Some played double roles like Pam Murray as Sugar Plum Fairy and Gingy. She was also involved in the well choreographed tap routine for the smartly dressed Rats while Chiara Loia, Jo Robertson and Katie McCrum performed beautifully in pink and white as the Three Blind Mice. The cast sang and moved confidently in all the well known numbers like Story of My Life and Freakflag, all with commitment and enthusiasm. The costumes were colourful and apt while the set was simple with a large type shed which served several purposes along with signs, setting scenes against which the company performed another highly enjoyable and entertaining show.

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