The loveable green ogre with the Scottish accent and his hilarious donkey sidekick returns to Glasgow this week in a new UK tour of the famous Dreamsworks animation film Shrek – the ultimate respinning of familiar fairytales.
The stage show production features a cast of favourite characters including Pinocchio, Fairy Godmother the Three Little Pigs and Little Red Riding Hood. However it is Shrek, played wonderfully by Stefan Harri who gives a scene-stealing turn as the grumpy, smelly ogre who lives happily alone in his swamp. One day his peace is shattered as his homeland becomes overrun with fairytale creatures who have been turfed out of their town by the evil Lord Farquaad, ruining Shrek’s solitary existence.
With the help of his new found friend Donkey – Shrek may use the term friend loosely to begin with – the ogre makes a deal with Lord Farquaad to rescue the beautiful Princess Fiona who is held capture in a tower in return for the swamp to be returned to him exclusively. However the journey doesn’t go quite as planned and challenges the stereotypical happily ever after…
Harri is perfectly cast as the loveable ogre who comes good with the help of the love of Princess Fiona and the friendship of others along the way – especially Donkey played by Marcus Ayton who puts up with Shrek’s grumpy attitude to help him realise he doesn’t have to be alone in life. As a comedy duo, Harri and Ayton work well together and give strong vocal performances throughout – even in such hefty costumes!
X Factor runner up Amelia-Lily plays the role of Princess Fiona and manages to convey a quirky and funny character. She also delivers soaring vocal performances which hint at her background as a pop star. Special mention must go to the hilariously pompous Lord Farquaad played by Samuel Holmes. His comic timing, facial expressions and a few welcome ad-libs along the way had the children and adults alike in stiches. Musical pieces Whats up Duloc? and The Ballad of Farquaad are highlights of the show due to the spirited delivery from Holmes. The show stays true to the wit and humour of the original film, including all the favourite moments such as the love-sick dragon, the gumdrop buttons of the Gingerbread man and Farquaad’s vertically challenged appearance.
This high energy production is flawless in choreography which helps add to the impressive show-stopping vocal performances from all the cast. The rat tap-dance performance by Princess Fiona and ensemble is particularly spectacular during Act II’s opener of Morning Person. The show is brimming with impressive colourful costumes, slick changes and performers playing multiple characters to perfection. There is plenty of action to keep the children mesmerised whilst also ensuring a good dose of innuendo and references to keep the adults chuckling. There’s nods to current affairs – Lord Farquaad’s horse is called Brexit.
Spend a night at Shrek The Musical and you will be giggling and cheering in all the right places.
Shrek The Musical runs at the King’s Theatre until 6th October.