BOURNVILLE Musical Theatre Company have once again gone large with their choice of main show and they don’t come much larger than the newly released for general production, ‘Shrek the Musical’ which opened at the Crescent theatre in Birmingham last night.
Shrek the musical (book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire and music by Jeanine Tesori) is based partly on the novel by William Steig plus the 2001 Dreamworks Animation movie ‘Shrek.’ It premiered on Broadway in 2008 and in the West End in 2011 where it received four ‘Olivier‘ nominations.
The show opens with seven year old Shrek being abandoned by his ogre parents with the parting words that because of his looks, he will be shunned by the world, and an angry mob will be the last thing he will see before he dies.
We skip to a grown up Shrek living contentedly alone in a swamp until a refugee caravan of fairytale creatures arrive. They tell Shrek of their banishment from the Kingdom of Duloc, by order of the evil Lord Farquaad, who threw them out for being freaks, under penalty of death if they ever return. Shrek decides to travel to see Farquaad and right a few wrongs.
Picture by Imaginary Friends Photography. www.imaginaryfriendsphotography.co.uk
Along the way, Shrek rescues and teams up with a talkative Donkey.
Shrek brokers a deal with Farquaad, telling him that if he rescues Princess Fiona from a castle guarded by a fire breathing dragon and brings her to marry him then he will give Shrek the deeds to his swamp and lay off the fairytale folk a bit.
My Moore is spot on as Shrek’s true love and kindred spirit Princess Fiona, I couldn’t help but think how my five-year-old grandson would roar with laughter at their farting duet ‘I Think I’ve Got You Beat’. Isobel Rhodes has fire in her voice as well as the flames as an awesome Dragon. Isaac Upton gives a top trade union leader portrayal of Pinocchio and Sophie Bourke steals some scenes from an already outrageously over the top assembly of fairytale attention seekers as Gingy.
Paul Stait puts in a fine all-round performance as the Donkey and Stuart McDiarmid is hilarious as the tiny terror, Lord Farquaad.
Picture by Imaginary Friends Photography. www.imaginaryfriendsphotography.co.uk
The huge talent that is John Morrison scores up another legendary performance as Shrek, carrying the audience along with his journey every step of the way.
Sadie Lovelady has choreographed the show with originality and spectacle, making a talented ensemble sparkle. Chris Corcoran proves once again why those of us that follow him, call him the maestro – he has got some confident and at times stunning vocals from the Bournville company and a more driven band would be hard to find.
Director Viv Morrison has put a personal stamp on many of the between-number vignettes which weld together a very well-structured show. She has quite rightly directed from the smallest walk-on to the leading principals securing an obvious team unity.
Picture by Imaginary Friends Photography. www.imaginaryfriendsphotography.co.uk
The action requires some breakneck changes, and the technical demands of the show are huge so in fairness there were time when the show stuttered as it was still bedding in. It didn’t spoil an excellent production though, which I am sure will grow in confidence with every performance.
In today’s sad times of intolerance, Shrek’s tale really does offer up a plea for acceptance of colour and physical differences, Disney’s enchanted kingdom may forever be a dream but striving to reach it is a worthy message for us all to take home.
Shrek the Musical runs at the Crescent Theatre in Birmingham until Saturday. Click here for times, tickets and more information.
