REVIEW | Shrek The Musical, UK Tour

Reviews

18 Oct

`Shrek the Musical - Photography by Marc Brenner`

Written by Emmie

*Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in return for an honest review

Everyone’s favourite ogre, Shrek, is back on a UK tour - 5 years after the last one. If you’re looking for a bright, fun and beautiful production, this adaptation of the popular Dreamworks animation film is the perfect solution.

At seven, Shrek is sent away from home to fend for himself in a swamp where he is perfectly content. Now seven years later, his home is disturbed by a hoard of fairytale creatures who arrive on his swamp having been displaced by the evil Lord Farquaad. Determined to send them on their way, Shrek sets off to take on Farquaad. Accompanied by the loveable (but extremely annoying) Donkey, they both arrive in Duloc where to get his swamp back Shrek must rescue Princess Fiona from a prison tower so she can marry Lord Farquaad.

With the use of clever projection, it feels like you are stepping through the pages of a life-size storybook.

Developing the foundations of the film to suit a stage adaptation, this touring production has been scaled back but it still allows the audience to have a lot to look at. The cast of twenty-one particularly ensures that the space is always filled to the brim with the ensemble’s energy and movement. You won’t find an ensemble that manages to execute that task in the style that this lot did, with some of them playing multiple roles! The scaling back has also reached their orchestra, a 7-member group of people who sound incredible despite this.

Bursting onto the stage as the unforgettable orge Shrek is Antony Lawrence. His Scottish accent doesn’t sustain throughout the entirety of this production but there’s no doubt that his stage presence in this role oozes out of him throughout. His energy was infectious with many of the younger members in the audience captivated in complete awe at seeing him come to life on the stage. His rendition of ‘Who I’d Be’ really brought out the more sensitive side of Shrek’s character well and it was one of the most beautiful performances of this song I’ve witnessed.

As Princess Fiona, Joanne Clifton is a joy to watch. She brings the feisty character to life in considerable measure. Clifton manages to bring a lot to this character that I missed from watching the production back in 2018 therefore I enjoyed this character a lot more this time around. Completing the iconic duo is Brand Lee Sears as Donkey. His physicality of bringing this character to life whilst also smashing the vocals in his musical numbers was a huge hit with the audience. He delivers every ounce of sass, embodiment and expression you’d expect from portraying this character. The only disappointment came from James Gillan as Lord Farquaad. Whilst he brings the campness this role requires - I only wish he was on his knees which we’ve always seen from productions of this musical in the past.

Shrek wouldn't be Shrek without the support of the fairytale characters who are flawless in performing as their individual characters. Shrek The Musical has fantastic ensemble numbers and this company does it more than justice! Notably, the person who really stuck out for me was Cherece Richards whose performance as the Dragon brought the house down. She’s an incredible performer and I was in utter awe of her. As well as Richards, Georgie Buckland drew me in when she brought Gingy to life.

The musical concluded with an electrifying rendition of ‘I’m A Believer’ sometimes feels like it pulls itself towards the end, ensuring the right level of storytelling is involved for younger audiences to understand. However, what Shrek The Musical does offer audiences is the opportunity to have a genuinely good night at the theatre.

At Curve, Leicester until 21 October as part of the UK Tour.