25th April 2024, Royal & Derngate, Northampton
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The stage is set, the curtains rise, and once again, the world of fairy tales comes alive with the 2024 revival of "Shrek the Musical". This revamped production breathes new life into the beloved story of an ogre's quest for solitude, a talking donkey's unyielding friendship, and a princess's unconventional fairy tale ending.
Antony Lawrence as Shrek was fantastic. His voice was wow. His version of "Big Bright Beautiful World" is the best of heard from my previous visit and the blu-ray version. Joanne Clifton and Princess Fiona was the perfect choice. Her chemistry with Shrek was brilliant, like when they did synchronized farting. Her version "I Know its Today" was perfect and was laughing at a lot during "Morning Person"
Lord Farquaad was hysterical. He was played by James Gillan, who unlike previous, was full height. I loved his versions of "Whats Up in Duloc" and "The Ballad of Farquaad" absolute hysterical.
The stand-out character had to be Donkey, played by Brandon Lee Sears, He was exactly like the film version, but also put his own spin on the character. His relationship with Shrek was spot-on and actually felt sorry for him when Shrek told him to go away after mis-hearing a conversation between him and Fiona.
The sets and puppetry throughout the show was amazing. The scene in the tower, with the screens showing all the fire, and the puppet of the dragon. It was operated by 3 people and it was WOW! Gingy was a brilliant hand-puppet and forgot he was a puppet "Not the gumdrop".
There was plenty of merchandise, with Shrek ears, magnets, pins, Souvenir Brochure and program supplied by the Derngate.
For those who have grown up with Shrek, this musical offers a nostalgic trip down memory lane. For newcomers, it's an introduction to a world where the unconventional is celebrated, and 'happily ever after' isn't just for the typical fairy tale prince and princess.
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