The show opens with seven-year-old Shrek (Antony Lawrence) being sent out alone into the world by his parents. Shunned by all, he meets he ends up living alone in a swamp.
He is invaded by a whole collection of fairy characters whom the villain, Lord Farquaad (James Gillan), has banished from his town, Duloc. They persuade him to challenge Lord Farquaad so they can return, and there he undertakes a condition which changes his loveless life. He sets off to fight the dragon (Cherece Richards) and free the princess. Accompanied by Donkey (Brandon Lee Sears), he sets off to the castle to rescue the Princess Fiona (Joanne Clifton).
While Shrek is outwardly a repugnant green monster, he is vulnerable and a ‘softie' at heart; Lawrence shows anger and great tenderness with ease; Sears is a delightfully amusing character who introduces much humour into every scene, providing great contrast.
Clifton establishes her character from the off, feisty and independent, though, like Lawrence, vulnerable. Apart from the principles, over 24 actors play a variety of roles with not a weak voice between them. Indeed the singing is exceptional. It is also a treat to have a live band of seven musicians, playing 15 different instruments between them.
This is all complemented by an excellent set and costume design by award-winning Philip Witcomb. There were a few technical video issues, but probably due to it being first night. Indeed, the set succeeded so well in establishing various locations; on occasion, the video seemed more distracting than effective.
This is truly a mega-magical musical, half the show being 24 songs, which also carry the story forward; mega-multiple talented cast, mega-creative team keeping everything on track, oh and did I mention puppetry as well? Directors Samuel Holmes and Nick Winston had their hands full, and Winston is also responsible for the exemplary choreography.
This story was originally a fantasy comedy picture book published in 1990 by American book-writer and cartoonist William Steig. The production is adapted from the Dreamworks 2001 animation film.
This is a fairy story with a difference, still capturing the imagination, where the ogre is the ‘nice ‘guy with a heart and the princess is anything but the general soft, gentle innocent. True beauty is in the eye of the beholder, not just superficial, and love conquers all.
This tour ends in London in August and, while five years since its last tour, 33 years on it is as popular as ever as the enthralled, packed theatre bore testament to.