Shrek the Musical

Stray Cats Theatre Company and Mandurah Performing Arts Centre have teamed together to bring this fabulous, fractured fairy-tale to life in a big, bold production.
At rough count, over 130 people were part of this mammoth production featuring flying dragons, a fifteen piece orchestra, a cast of 66 and a few ogres.

Nicholas Gaynor is great fun and navigates the title role with a great presence and lovely voice. He is nicely paired with Lisa Taylor, who dances up a storm as Fiona - perhaps unsurprisingly, given she also shares choreographic duties with Ashleigh Riley.

Jioji Nawanawa makes an astonishing theatrical debut as Donkey. This is a parfait of a performance - lots of layers and “Everyone likes parfaits!”. I look forward to seeing more of this young Fijian chorister gracing the stage again soon.

Harry Stacey has had a Peggy Sawyer experience, stepping up at the last minute to play Lord Farquaad (replacing an ill Paul Hayward) in a very impressive, very funny performance - a young performer to watch. Harry continued to nicely play two of his other roles - King Harold and the Pied Piper, while Angus Young stepped into the show as a very funny Big Bad Wolf.

A gorgeous Dragon was constructed by David Hartley, which was a show highlight. Moved by six hard working puppeteers, she had loads of personality and was given a power-house voice by Kristie Gray - who was also the vocal director and played two other roles.

Shrek features a plethora of minor roles, all played with character and enthusiasm. Standouts included Alyssa Burton’s Gingy and Sugar Plum Fairy, and Michele Gould’s Ugly Duckling, all with great fun, and beautifully costumed by co-ordinators Linda Lowry, Kerry Tarbuck and Pat Francis and their team. 

Bronwyn White’s set was functional and used multiple levels well, with lighting, designed by Karen Francis and Clint Gerard, adding mood. Sound was well balanced, although we were privy to a couple of backstage conversations, with microphones left live. 

Musically this was strong vocally, with the orchestra being very tight, under the leadership of Musical Director Varintha Hart.

A big production with lots of heart and great for all ages. Well done.

Kimberley Shaw