Shrek the Musical

It’s great to see so many groups adding to their annual programme full-scale productions in addition to their regular offerings. And what a challenge to take on the very technically challenging, both in terms of staging and costumes/make up, as Shrek The Musical. As the curtains opened, I could see the huge amount of work that had gone into transforming the Connaught Hall into the fairytale setting of Duloc, home to Shrek the Ogre. Impressive reversible flats and backdrops with a raised section to the rear made the transformation from Shrek’s swamp to Lord Farquaad’s castle and back again slick and very effective. Lighting and special effects added to the magic; a lot of effort had gone into the entrance foyer to the hall to immerse the audience into the story. Great use of pyrotechnics for the dragon scene and the finale.

Getting the costumes and make up right for a production of this type is essential, and not only did they hit the mark with their quality and attention to detail, but there were also vast numbers of them due to the very big cast. At times the stage was very busy, especially with the fairytale characters (I think I counted over 25 of them), but they were having a fantastic time, and it added to the sense of Shrek’s little quiet place that he calls home being disturbed.

Hats off again to Director Vicky Aukett, and Musical Director Kayleigh Poacher, who got this great show to the stage, but also somehow managed to find the time to be in it! Kayleigh lit up the stage as mixed-up Princess Fiona, and Vicky as the Dragon. Whilst I am on the subject of the dragon, I was expecting the usual smaller version that attaches to the character assisted by the cast to expand the wings. But no, this was as near as full size as I have seen, a superb and stunningly made article, which almost stole the show as it was held aloft in all its magnificence. How a model dragon of this size was got onto the stage and animated towards the characters in the very limited space available is beyond me.

I thoroughly enjoyed the trio of Princess Fiona’s at varying times of their isolation in the castle with “I know It’s Today”, where Teen Fiona (Isla Coates), and Young Fiona (Emma Kerridge) joined Kayleigh as adult Fiona. All the fairytale characters were charismatic and great to watch, I particularly enjoyed Georgina Sexton as Pinocchio, and Kim Townsend as Gingy. “The Story of My Life” was a real highlight.

Martin Godfrey was excellent as Lord Farquaad, it’s a great part, and his wry grin throughout was very funny. Ryan Young took on the Donkey and I really enjoyed “Make A Move”.

Leading the cast as Shrek was Joseph Reed, I really enjoyed his performance and he got the balance of the character just right, along with some lovely tender moments and singing (“Who I’d Be” and “Big Bright Beautiful World reprise”) as the show came to its happy ending,

This was an excellent production and my congratulations to all involved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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