Shrek The Musical Jnr.

Portishead Young Players  

As always a complete pleasure to visit Portishead Young Players, especially in the week  that The Noda award nominations and winners were announced. Congratulations on what  was achieved last year. It was great to see Lynda and all the staff front of house. Thank  you for your hospitality.  

Now I haven’t seen Shrek since arriving in New York many years ago and got tickets not  only to see the show but to try and stem tiredness due to time change. I honestly can’t  remember it very well! I’m sure I didn’t find it as funny as your version either.  

I thought the opening was wonderful, from the story tellers that really set the scene from  the off. I relaxed straight away. Knowing this was a first night I was expecting a few  nerves to come across but not at all! I liked the idea of walking through the story book to  deliver the tale and thought it was generally put to good use throughout. The comedy  from the Ogre family was superb. Every comedy line pointed just perfectly and young  Shrek was adorable. This followed through into “older” Shreks entrance. Wonderfully  costumed and excellent make up. Having seen and enjoyed your last performance as  Ursula in Little Mermaid I was looking forward to seeing how you handled this part. Firstly  I must commend your vocals. I assume this is written for a man’s key, but you attacked it  with great gusto and knew just how to deliver those comedy touches that we’ve all grown  up laughing at but you knew just how to tug on those heart strings at the same time. The  dynamics between Shrek and all the main characters worked a treat.  

Hats off to the costume and make up teams (must have been very busy pre show). Every  character introduced themselves with gusto. Big pat on the back to Pinocchio delivering  his lines and songs in that falsetto voice. Hope your throat wasn’t too sore by Saturday.  The perfect back drop was a great setting for all the superb costumes which really were a  feast for the eyes.  

There may have been a few odd notes during “Story of my life”, but the energy and  excitement created on stage far surpassed those small lapses. You all bought us sheer  joy. I was eagerly anticipating Donkeys entrance. Having seen and admired earlier work  from this performer. You did not disappoint. A great characterisation throughout. When  you and Shrek came together you both played so well off of each other and kept us all  totally engaged. Great comedy from both of you.  

Another hats off to the costume team who dressed the Dulac performers. This looked  very striking. The blue, red and black was extremely eye catching and along with the very  interesting choreography (kind of MGM’esk) I loved this scene and when we finally got to  see Lord Farquaad this was the icing on the cake. You had that character right down to  your knees!! Great comedy timing and I adored every flick of the hair. Hope you weren’t in  too much agony by end of Saturday. What we do for our art. 

Change of pace when we met the three Fiona’s. These three voices alone were  outstanding but when the harmonies came together it was truly beautiful. A definite  highlight for me. Well done.  

The Travelling song was just bursting with energy from Shrek and Donkey,I really enjoyed  this. And Fiona’s solo was gorgeous. It was this point I thought how lucky Portishead  Young are to have such a wealth of talent, and plenty of youth ready to come through and  start taking these lead roles in the future.  

I didn’t make many notes in Act 2 as I really wanted to watch and enjoy. The stand out  moments I remember were “I Think I Got You Beat”. How well Shrek and Fiona worked  together on this and just went for it. Congratulations. It was also nice to get another  glimpse of the fairytale creatures and their costumes again. It was such a lot to take in the  first time. The three pigs worked very well together as did the three blind mice (you were  noticed) along with The Three Bears, Robin Hood, Puss in Boots, Big Bad Wolf, Wicked  Witch, Peter Pan, Ugly Duckling, Dwarf, Pied Piper, Bishop and the wonderful  Gingerbread Man. I must commend the Dragon too. Great thought out costume and  nicely imaginative with the rest of your body. This worked really well and again very  talented singing voice. Well done. Hope I didn’t leave anyone out. This showed such great  team work from everybody. You almost all had your moment to shine and with great  direction and choreography shine you certainly did! 

Direction 

What a team! I think you can tell how much I enjoyed this production. I’m so glad you  went down the simpler route re the set. You created some nice lighting changes which  added to the atmosphere you were trying to create and maintained a real steady pace  throughout.  

I spoke to you in the interval regarding my thoughts re the sound. You’ll never please  everybody all of the time. I just felt the music a little too low, maybe that was why the  company slightly lost their way in a couple of numbers. The mics were great but the  voices just needed to be supported more by the track. We all know how different an  empty dress rehearsal sounds compared to full audience on opening night. The sound  gets completely swallowed. Keep, going. I know the team will get there.  

This is a very small niggle and I’m not sure on what the licensing law dictates on adults  being onstage ( I know Frozen Jnr are only allowed children even to change the set) all I’d  suggest if the costume characters can’t move the set maybe the adults could have worn  colourful in keeping clothing rather than standing out in all black. Maybe they thought  they’d be in blackout but they were as integral to the scene. As I said just a small niggle  but food for thought for the future.  

Those niggles aside, you three are a force to be reckoned with. It’s so obvious to me how  passionate you are with your productions and the audience reactions alone must be very  gratifying. I personally can’t wait for the next one. Congratulations  

So good to see you all once again. See you very soon. 

Best wishes  

Mike. X

 

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