Holiday Fun with Shrek at Roleystone

BEAUTY is in the eye of the ogre as Shrek Junior – The Musical comes to life at Roleystone Theatre during the April 2016 school holidays.

Based on the Academy Award-winning film and Broadway musical, everyone’s favourite ogre Shrek leads a cast of fairytale misfits on an adventure to rescue Princess Fiona and find true acceptance.

Part-romance and part-twisted fairytale, Shrek Junior is an irreverent show with a powerful message for both kids and adults.

Director Kristen Twynam-Perkins said the storyline follows the first Shrek film, as he fights to get his swamp back.

“Shrek Junior is a shortened 60-minute version of the full-length production that premiered on Broadway in 2008,” she said.

“The biggest difference is the musical numbers have been reduced in length and, in some cases, difficulty while a couple have also been left out.

“The songs are all originals written by Jeanine Tesori and David Lindsay-Abaire, but they have the same feel as the songs in the movie.” 

Twynam-Perkins has a 20-year history as a performer, director and choreographer with more than 70 productions to her credit at Playlovers, Roleystone, Stirling, Garrick, Marloo, Limelight, Old Mill and KADS Theatres, among others.

With numerous awards to her name, she has worked extensively as a drama teacher – and is heading to Hanoi in August to teach drama at an international school. 

“I wanted to do a youth production at Roleystone Theatre before I left the country,” Twynam-Perkins said.

“Initially, I requested a different production but couldn’t get the rights so I continued to look for one that had a well-known story, fantastic performance opportunities for Perth’s amazing youth performers and also would be a lot of fun.

“Shrek Junior was already on my list as a possibility so I decided to go with that.”

Shrek Junior – The Musicalplays at 7.30pm April 15, 16, 20, 22 and 23; 11.30am April 17; 2pm April 16, 20, 22 and 23 and 3pm April 17 and 21. Tickets are $20, $15 concession – book at www.roleystonetheatre.com.au.

Roleystone Theatre is located at 587 Brookton Highway, Roleystone, opposite the Croyden Road junction.

Images: Donkey (Saoirse Gerrish, at back) and various storytellers (Ebony Uetake, left, Christie McGarrity and Connie Whetherilt), & Stephanie Shaw, left, Ashley Garney and Saoirse Gerrish are Princess Fiona, Shrek and Donkey  in Shrek Junior – The Musical.

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