Shrek - The Musical

Shrek the Musical
Date: 10/04/2025
Performed at: The Playhouse Weston Super Mare
Performed by: Weston Operatic Society (WOS)
Book and Lyrics by: David Lynsey Abaire
Music by: Jeanine Tesori
Directed: Laura Taylor
Musical Director: Kat Stevens
Choreography and Assistant Director: Nina Blackwell
Noda rep: Mike Purnell

There was a lot of hype ahead of the opening of Shrek. The socials had been
busy with plenty of rehearsal footage and I must say some great photos,
which certainly looked professional alone. So I will be honest I came with
quite high expectations especially following your award winning Oklahoma
and Joseph. Was I disappointed... no where near. In fact it exceeded any
expectations I had. I honestly can’t tell you anything you haven’t already
heard from your audiences, who even by the interval were buzzing and the
smile on everyone’s faces said it all.
Were there any negatives? Two very slightly late mic cues so I’m not even
going to mention them so totally ignore!
What came across to the audience was not only what we were watching on
stage but the enormous teamwork that was going on backstage. The make
up for starters was as good as any professional production I’ve seen. The
detail even from row F was exceptional. Despite knowing many of the cast I
was really struggling to put names to characters. Just brilliant. Shrek’s alone
was absolutely spot on and totally unrecognisable. I enjoyed the video
footage of the application from beginning to end. Incredible to watch. Such
artistry. The attention to detail on the fairytale characters again was superb;
the eye make up and noses were quite remarkable. This must have been
such fun to do and create. Big hats off to the make up team you absolutely
smashed it on every character.
The flow of this show was most important and due to the hired set, which
when lit beautifully, became quite magical to look at helped set a great pace
from scene to scene. Whenever we had a blackout to change scene it lasted
just the right amount of time for us as an audience to have a little breather
and certainly from an audience point of view no attention was lost, even from
the children you kept their attention 100 %. No mean feat these days.
Lighting always seemed on cue and some wonderful colours lit the stage and
showed off the wonderful costumes to the full. There was such an array of
colour. Magnificent to look at. Lighting created some good atmospheric
scenes when needed also. Great job all round.

Sound was of a perfect level. The balance was spot on. You allowed the
Band to come over with the voices just slightly above and both married up
perfectly with a very high quality to it.
The hired costumes were of a first class level. Everything appeared to fit and
depicted each character perfectly. This must have been a huge job for Jodie
and her team to navigate with such a huge cast but it certainly looked like it
was managed perfectly. The colours out front were spectacular. Well done.
Make up
Wow what more can I say? What a challenge and one you undoubtedly rose
to. Each individual looked so accurate it took me quite a while to work out
who was who underneath the makeup. Such thought and artistry had gone
into this. A superb job. Many congratulations.

Musical Director
I could see and hear what a tremendous amount of work had gone into this
production musically. The company singing alone actually sounded like I was
listening to the soundtrack. Each and every harmony came through and was
extremely well balanced with the sound. Well done on creating a first class
band, when I read the line up I knew this was going to be good. Not once
was my attention drawn to the band which is my way of knowing what a
terrific sound was created. Cueing was spot on. Individual singing was an
absolute treat to listen too. Fiona’s vocals just soared and Shrek’s vocals
despite the accent and costume prosthetics was an absolute delight to listen
too. The trio of Fionas was a show high light too. Add Donkey and Lord
Farquaad into the mix and we had vocals worthy of a Westend stage. Superb.

Choreography
You made this show look so easy although I could see the choreography was
actually quite tricky, but you very cleverly utilised everybody to the best of
their ability. You created many stunning pictures. It was an absolute joy to
watch. I was very impressed with how everybody kept in complete character
whilst dancing and never lost focus for a second. I would imagine you were
quite a hard taskmaster, but what I will say is it paid off in spades.
Congratulations.

Shrek
If ever a part was written for someone this was yours. You embodied Shrek
completely. If I hadn’t known it was you I’d never have guessed. Your best
singing part to date. Not once did that character slip and you were most
convincing. The comedy was spot on but also you bought the emotion to the
character. The relationship with Donkey was funny and beautiful all at the
same time and was well judged throughout the show. The journey between
you and Princess Fiona was well judged throughout also “I Think I Got You
Beat” was so well timed and executed it was an absolute joy. Hilariously laugh out loud at times. Congratulations

Princess Fiona
I have so enjoyed following your career when I think back to the days of
Dorothy to Kinky Boots to Rock of ages and now Princess Fiona what a
journey you’ve had. You have really gone from strength to strength not only
vocally (which is always been impressive), but now you’re acting is really
coming to the fore and becoming a very strong strength for you. Your
confidence has grown in abundance and are now a joy to watch on stage.
Great chemistry with Shrek and donkey a very rounded well thought out
performance.

Donkey
Always a joy to see you on stage you put 100% into everything you do and
we as an audience appreciate this very much. Your timing for comedy gets
better and better with each show you do. The relationship between you and
Shrek was an absolute joy to watch. I really did begin to wonder whether you
two would end up together now that could’ve been a whole different show.
Excellent.

Lord Farquaad
Oh those knees, what we have to do for our art. Watching you was like a
master class in comedy and acting ,the facials were expertly done and timing
was just spot on. You made the most of every line you had and every joke
landed perfectly. You sang up a storm and fronted your numbers with
Panache. Such a joy to watch. Well done.

Dragon
What a cameo. This was another master class in only having a small part but
absolutely making the most of every second. You looked incredible, the
costume from the top of your head from the nails down to your feet
absolutely stunning and a vocal to die for. You certainly left us wanting more,
and what a way to go. Fantastic.

Gingy / Sugar Plum Fairy
Great puppeteering and excellent character voice throughout. Always a joy to
watch any performance you do.

Pinocchio
Another actor who puts 100% into everything he does. I really felt every bit of
your performance was thought out completely. The voice was just perfect
and I hope it lasted till the end of the week because that couldn’t have been
easy singing and talking in that register. Great timing with the growing of the
nose. It really was extremely funny and beautifully timed. Well done.

The Ensemble

This was such a strong company made up of many players who would take
leads so therefore the singing was of an incredible quality. There are some
standout moments from mother ogre who did some wonderful singing and
the three blind mice such harmonies so close and looked absolutely
spectacular together.
Without exception, everybody played their role perfectly. This was such a
strong team. An absolute joy to see you all working together.

Director
Quite honestly, there was nothing not to like in this show. You really did create
something very special. I’ve often said Weston Operatics are on a roll, well
this one absolutely soared and you are now flying very high.
You had an exceptional cast which I’m sure made rehearsals a joy. The
running of the show was so smooth that I felt the rehearsal time was utilised
to the full. The pace and energy you created was perfect giving us just
enough time in small blackouts to get our breath. You captured all the
humour almost every joke landed perfectly, so timing was spot on, and was
at times laugh out loud funny.

Congratulations on a super entertaining show that audiences will remember
for a very long time.
As you can probably gather, I actually quite liked it. Well done Weston
Operatic on giving us one magical spell binding show.
Thanks so much for your hospitality
Best wishes
Mike

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