I thought love was only true in fairy tales… but my love for this play is very real. It’s not an easy feat to compete with the masterpiece that is Shrek the movie, but this long awaited performance adds it’s own flair to a beloved story.
Shrek follows the adventure of an ogre, with his donkey (noble steed) in tow, embarking on a quest to win his swamp back from the questionable leader Lord Farqaad. To win back his home, he must rescue Princess Fiona from a castle guarded by a fire-breathing dragon. While bringing her back to marry the Lord, Shrek starts to discover his feelings for Fiona, and is forced to confront his emotions… or risk losing his true love forever. It’s a fun, family-friendly story of self acceptance and love coming from the most unlikely places.
After years of cinema forcing out bland sequels and remakes, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t expecting much extra from the show adaptation. However, the storyline is completely theatre-fied, balancing on the tightrope between nostalgia and adding to the story. It is delightful to watch Shrek and Fiona fall in love over toilet humour and crude jokes, but here, there is a new level to their bond, such as competitive singing about who had it worse, leading to the moment they realise how alike they are.
All of the actors perform spectacularly. Whether it be a Shrek (Antony Lawrence) with his deadpan humour, Lord Farqaad (James Gillan) with his flamboyant flair, or Donkey (Brandon Lee Sears) acrobatting through an ode to his friend; the characters are all as loveable and entertaining as ever. Princess Fiona (Joanne Clifton) shines as a true “Strictly come Dancing” champion with her mouse dance, one of the many moments brought together by the astounding chorus. Seriously, props to choreographer Nick Winston, I did not expect possibly the best choreography I’ve ever seen to be in Shrek. The chorus keeps their energy at 110%, giving every fairy tale character their moment to shine whilst Swan Lakeing their way round the stage.
The absolute best addition to the show is the Dragon. Alone, the gigantic puppet is impressive enough, but then they bring out Cherece Richards in a stunningly pink bodysuit and she sings with the most incredible voice like it didn’t just change my entire life. NOW I’m a believer! This scene creates some humorous lines and gives Dragon a personality which makes an exciting addition.
The set itself is absolutely gorgeously done. A fair balance of CGI and props create beautiful set designs such as the hanging forest and the smoky castle. Set designer Philip Witcomb makes scene after scene look incredible whilst upholding adaptability. Equally, lighting designer Ben Cracknell perfects the ambience every time, setting the tone for romantic moments or a daring battle.
Overall, the play is a beautiful homage to the original with it’s own exciting twists. Attention to detail is a crucial aspect with advancing the humour, with moments like Farqaad’s dad reveal. Ultimately, it is a must-see for all ages and a big recommendation for both theatre enthusiasts and casual watchers.
Shrek runs at Royal and Derngate Northampton until
