Shrek The Musical

Koorliny Arts Centre’s Shrek is a fabulous looking big production, playing to capacity crowds. Joyful and vibrant with a large, energetic cast, this is a well-acted and sung production that leaves its audience smiling.

Playing on a nicely decorated set designed by Sam Knox, different locales are created using large set pieces, and dramatic lighting by Ali Mack. Costuming, by Cherie Alvaro, Connie Wetherilt and Yvette Drager Wetherilt, was fairy-tale spectacular, and makeup, hair and wigs (including prosthetics) by Yvette Drager Wetherilt, helped to make characters (especially Shrek himself) picture-perfect.

The cast of 26, with few exceptions, play multiple roles, in a show filled with clever cameos. The cast is led by Daniel Burton in the title role, a funny and gorgeously grumpy Shrek, who sings well and is as expressive as possible given prosthetics. His companion, Donkey, is played with great verve by Bailey Bridgeman-Peters, in a performance that endeared him to the audience.

Ciara Taylor plays Princess Fiona as it might have been played by Carol Burnett, glamorous, but wild and funny, and sung to perfection. Her younger self was played by Imogen Guppy (Teen Fiona) and Violette Russo delightful as Young Fiona (she shares the role with Georgia Trachita). The song “I Know It’s Today” was a highlight. 

Mark Thompson is a brilliant Farquhar, who can dance and run on his knees at impressive speed. Christie McGarrity’s Dragon looks glamorous and sounds beautiful, although I would have loved big wings to justify some of the “big girl” lines.

In a show packed with cute cameos, it is impossible to mention everyone, but I thought Luca Daniel as Pinocchio was great casting and loved Miles’ Russo’s Young Shrek, Arianne Westcott-King’s lovely doubling and enjoyed the teamwork of the Three Little Pigs (Marc Antony, Oliver Skinner and Henry Hayes). Isabella Bourgalt was great fun as Peter Pan, Michael Carroll was great as a succession of baddies and the Three Blind Mice sounded superb (Lilly-Anne Burns, Jocelyn Dale and Abby Kotara). The ensemble sang well and executed Connie Wetherilt’s clever choreography with style.

A large live band supported the show well. They were a little shaky during the overture, but seemed to tighten to provide strong support, under the Musical Direction of Matthew Walford.

A feel-good family musical with broad appeal, Shrek the Musical is a joy to watch and an absolute crowd-pleaser.

Kimberley Shaw