It’s hard to believe that the film adaptation of Shrek was released fourteen years ago, in 2001, to critical acclaim the world over. The unorthodox hero stormed the box office and the hearts of cinema-goers worldwide and earned himself several sequels off the back of his initial quest to rescue Princess Fiona.
Equally hard to believe is that Shrek: The Musical has been out since 2008 and, although familiar with the soundtrack, it’s taken me seven years to see it at the theatre. On Friday evening, at The Mayflower in Southampton, I rectified that.
With most of the dialogue lifted straight from the film – after all, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! – and a songbook of original numbers to complement the action, it’s no wonder that this show is still filling houses. It’s a laugh-a-minute romp through the swamp!
The scenery is astounding, the Dragon is stunning, the stage is awash with colour from beginning to end and no detail is too small. It was the perfect setting for the tale, and those doing the telling did not disappoint.
The backbone of the show is the relationship between Shrek, played by Dean Chisnall, and Donkey, played by Idriss Kargbo. Both were on top form, their dynamic flawless, setting the bar high for the rest of the cast.
Luckily, their fellow performers were more than up to the challenge! Shrek is a true ensemble piece – only four cast members don’t play multiple roles – and each and every one of them was thoroughly invested in immersing the audience in the story.
Particular mention must go to Candace Furbert’s roof-raising performance as the Dragon, Keith Henderson’s energy as Peter Pan and Will Haswell’s excellent nose-control as Pinocchio.
What really struck me about this show was that it was like stepping into the film – each and every voice and accent was so close to the original; it added an extra dash of magic to an already enchanting show.
Often enough, new musicals will try to introduce songs that are, quite frankly, impossible to remember, filled with discords and odd intervals for the sake of trying to give the audience something ‘new’. Catchy modern show-tunes are getting harder to find these days, but Shrek: The Musical has them in abundance.
‘I Think I Got You Beat’, ‘Freak Flag’ and ‘Big, Bright, Beautiful World’ were just a few of the numbers people were humming as they left the theatre. But it was ‘If Words Fail’ that was the unlikely show-stopper of a number – not in the traditional bright-lights, big-notes and jazz-hands sense, but in a softer, subtler way, a song that resonates with any poor soul whose ever had those crippling nerves that come with a first confession of their feelings.
Each song is stuffed to the brim with comedy, too, even when you’re not expecting it. Even Princess Fiona’s introductory number, ‘I Know It’s Today’, takes a comic turn when an impatient Adult Fiona – played beautifully in the first half by Bronté Barbé – arrives on the scene. One of my favourite songs in the show, it’s an anthem for little girls the world over who are growing up on fairytales and wishing for their own happily-ever-after.
The biggest bursts of comedy, though, came from Gerard Carey as Lord Farquaad – with impeccable comic timing and a serious vocal talent, Gerard had the audience in fits of laughter with every appearance, whether he was defying gravity or simply walking from one side of the stage to the other. Doing an entire production on your knees is one thing, but to swing across monkey bars, leap over dancers and get down on one knee is beyond impressive; just when you thought he’d exhausted his repertoire of possible moves, he’d pull another out of the bag. Comedy gold.
But perhaps the real star of Friday night’s performance was Nikki Bentley, who stepped in halfway through the performance to take over from Bronté who, due to illness, couldn’t finish the show. The new Princess Fiona opened the second half with ‘Morning Person’, a catchy ditty that delivers as many laughs as it does tap-dancing rats! Her cheeky Fiona flounced, flourished and farted her way through the second half to her happy ending with the audience firmly on side. And with a voice like hers, Nikki is absolutely one to watch out for in future productions – she certainly gained a legion of new fans on Friday!
Shrek: The Musical expertly walks the line between humorous and heartfelt. Although it never stays serious for long, the brief moments in which it tugs at your heartstrings – Shrek and Donkey’s falling-out, Fiona’s leaving for Duloc, Shrek’s final proposal – are so beautifully scripted and delivered that you’ll find yourself welling up every time.
It’s a tale of true love, but not as we know it, and everything that made the film so successful is in the musical, along with a host of extras (look out for the numerous nods to other musicals) that is bound to keep your toes tapping all the way home.
“You’ve never read a book like this, but fairytales should really be updated,” sings Shrek, as he stands to be humiliated in front of Lord Farquaad, Princess Fiona and, indeed, the audience, by now fully immersed in his tale. And he’s quite right. But I suppose you have to kiss a few princes before you find your ogre.
Shrek: The Musical is on tour until February 2016 – check out the website for dates and venues, and make sure you see it if you get a chance!
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