Shrek The Musical JR

On a very hot Friday night All Saints Elton Theatre present their Youth Production of Shrek The Musical JR.

Walking into the theatre the stage is simply set black box. A raised area at the back with steps either side. Stage Left was green camouflage netting hung on the wings and a swamp sign. At the back was a large screen saying SHREK and this was used to depict the scenes along the way. Props were then used like over-sized story books - trees which were hand held. Properties Bridgit Foster. Stage Manager Andy Milthorpe and Assistant Stage Manager Claire Dawes. The larger-than-life dragon was impressively manoeuvred around the stage by Thomas Dawes and Charlie Hall.

Lighting and Sound all added to support the show, Sound and Lighting by MSL Oldham. Costumes were all appropriate and the three Fionas looked great. I did feel sorry for Jessica Simms in full fur outfit as the Donkey in that heat. I would just say if wearing black sportswear cover the identifiable logo with black gaffa-tape. Keeping the make-up on must have been a challenge. Wigs looked good too. Make-up by Bridgit Foster.

Choreography was by Samantha Tarrier and also letting the younger members of the cast choreograph was lovely to see. Erin Carroll and Bella Wheeler choreographed the tap-dancing rats. Charlotte Crowley was director and vocal lead and directed the 36 youth cast members. Great to see so many young people on stage and hats off to them in full costume in the heat.  I was just confused at Princess Fiona wearing her ears in front of Lord Farquaad and him not noticing. Charlotte made good use of the stage and steps leading down into the auditorium and the aisles and moving the cast around the stage.

The Ensemble was supportive of the cast and the scene in blacks with the “Daft Punk” type glasses looked really good. Just remember not to fiddle with the glasses on stage, pulling focus. 

Alysia Carroll was part of the Ensemble. Adriana Conley played Head Rat/Ensemble.  Ayla Callighan played Baby Bear. Bella Wheeler played Mama Bear. Charlie Hall played Papa Bear and as I said before also one of the Dragon puppeteers. Charlton Blood was Big Bad Wolf. Elliot Nixon played the Bishop. Emilia Tallentire played Knight 4/Guard. Erin Carroll played Storyteller 1. Frankie Armstrong played Peter Pan. Halle Howarth played Storyteller 2. Jacob Fleming played Little Ogre/Rooster. Jacob Ottewill played Pied Piper. Jasmine Harris played Dwarf/Guard. Jessie Jones played Puss in Boots. Joseph Reed played Little Pig 1. Martha Coggins played Ugly Duckling. Robin Tomany-Hall played Head Knight. Roberto Nacario played little Pig 3. Ronnie Pennington played Little Pig 2. Sophie Mellor played Kight 3/ Guard and Thea Osmond played Storyteller3/Knight 2/Red Riding Hood.

Billy Crowley played Papa Ogre and Lucy Jackson played Mama Ogre with a very confident singing voice. Marie Braiden gave us the Wicked Witch. I really liked the energy Skye Fletcher gave her character as Captain of the Guard. Good projection too. Evie Johnston certainly gave us cheeky Pinocchio complete with voice.

Luke Norbury gave us a very high energy and cheeky Gingy, just as should be. Jessica Simms played Donkey and as I said before hats off to Jessica for wearing the fur outfit and singing and dancing in it. Along with the larger-than-life Dragon puppet was Harper Lucas-Caine singing as the Dragon and looking splendid in her outfit. Power house voice too. Well done.

Georgia Ryder as Young Fiona (love your energy), Ava Kulyn as Teen Fiona and Lana Nuttall as Princess Fiona singing I Know It’s Today was a highlight for me and the three actresses worked really well together. Lana Nuttall as Princess Fiona had a lovely voice and worked well with Theo Skorzewski playing Shrek who kept his Scottish accent up well and gave us the grumpy Shrek we have come to know and love. Finally, Oliver Parker as Lord Farquaad gave us the small character with a big opinion of himself. Delivered some great lines and funny too. Well done. A big shiut to out to all the chaperones too who help in background.  Thank you for the invite and hospitality from my guest Rachel and I. We had a lovely welcome, it’s great to see the future generation keeping amateur dramatics alive and well.

 

Liz Hume-Dawson

D5 Rep

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