Review: Shrek The Musical
Back in the distant days of 2001 lives were forever changed when Dreamworks released the first animated comic fairytale film about the Mike Myers-voiced ogre, Shrek. Unsurprisingly the film generated sequels and spinoffs—including the Broadway musical that first opened in 2008, and later toured to the Australian east coast (2020). There was a lot happening in the world in 2020 (remember those lockdowns…), which meant many of us didn’t get to the Australian shows. It’s great that the Savoyards team has brought this gem of a musical to Brisbane audiences, but you had better get in quick, as this run ends on 6 July 2024.
The opening night performance included audience members who were dressed in their finest green, and who were so very excited to see their favourite film characters brought to the local stage. For anyone unfamiliar with the film, it updates a traditional fairytale story arc with several contemporary twists. The musical follows a similar plot, with charming references back to the original film and lots of original music. In summary…the evil Lord Farquaad banishes all fairytale characters from the kingdom, disturbing the much-loved swampy solitude of the ogre, Shrek. To move on these unwanted guests, Shrek agrees to undertake a quest to rescue Farquaad’s desired bride, Princess Fiona, from the tallest tower (which is, naturally, guarded by the angry dragon). And, if you want to know how this story unfolds, I suggest you rush to the Savoyards website to buy your tickets.
My personal highlights from the Savoyards Shrek included the dancing, dragon, costumes, Fiona, and Farquaad.
‘I Know It’s Today’ is a clever and funny way in which to introduce the experience of being a Princess who is endlessly waiting to be rescued from the tall tower, with a great interpretation by Darci Allen (the opening night Young Fiona, in a role that alternates with Alessia Lily Monteverde), Jamie Burstow (Teen Fiona), and Kate Retzki (Fiona). Retzki really can sing and dance, and demonstrated great comedic skills throughout the show—particularly in Fiona’s introductory number, and also in “Morning Person”—to create a believable, quirky, and talented modern fairytale princess.
I loved Retzki’s portrayal of Fiona, but Joshua Moore’s Lord Farquaad was my standout of the night. Moore has a great voice, is a talented dancer, and gave a wonderful comic performance as the wannabe king who is completely self-absorbed and cruel. The flounces were well-judged, the laugh was suitably demonic, and the comedic dancing was an absolute delight to watch. I look forward to seeing Moore on the professional stage, as QPAC audiences would have loved this particular Lord Farquaad.
The dragon puppet was an impressive piece of moving art (Stephanie Bateman, Props & Puppets), that was sung to life by the talented Joanna Nash. Nash has great stage presence, and a voice that is well-suited to the role. Kim Heslewood’s costume designs were glorious—particularly the dragon dress, Farquaad outfits, the donkey ‘suit,’ and costumes for the Duloc dancers, blind mice, and fairytale creatures (I loved the Humpty Dumpty outfit!). Oscar Lowe’s Donkey was funny and physical, resulting in lots of giggles from the younger members of the audience. Lowe’s tenor voice is well-suited to the role of Donkey, where I particularly enjoyed Lowe’s first act ‘Don’t Let Me Go.’ Nathaniel Currie (Shrek) worked hard at the title role, and produced a very solid Scottish accent.
The dancing was exceptional, as Julianne Burke (Choreographer) has clearly been working very hard with the cast. My favourite numbers were all of the set pieces by the Duloc Dancers (Joanna Nash, Amy Winner, Ashleigh Mitchell, Beth Lowe, Desney Toia-Sinapati, Jamie Furness, Jay Koloi, Kat Suschinsky, Kayla Stumbles, Kristan Ford, Kylah Davis, Maree Butterworth, Mike Lapot, Natalie Lennox, Nick Ferguson, Reagan Lovett, Tristan Vanyai, and Vanessa Wainwright), plus the three blind mice number (Winner, Suschinsky, and Stumbles), and Fiona’s rat tap (Kate Retzki, leading a large number of tapping top-hatted ‘rats’). Each of the ensemble set pieces were on point, and the various cameos in ‘Story of My Life’ were really enjoyable—in particular thanks to the work of Nick Ferguson (Pinocchio) and Kat Suschinsky (Gingy/Sugarplum Fairy). I enjoyed the pieces that included the Knights (Darcy Willows, James Riley, Oliver Dobrenov, and Tristan Vanyai) and Guards (Kristan Ford [Captain of the Guard], Vanessa Wainwright, Desney Toia-Sinapati, Jamie Furness, Natalie Lennox, Nick Ferguson, Oliver Dobrenov, Reagan Lovett, Stacie Hobbs, Tasmin Booysen and Tristan Vanyai).
Picture (L to R) Young Fiona (Darci Allen, role alternates with Alessia Lily Monteverde), Fiona (Kate Retzki), and Teen Fiona (Jamie Burstow). Credit: Sharyn Hall, Savoyards. Note: Image supplied, not a Creative Futures Photography image.
Picture: Shrek (Nathaniel Currie), Donkey (Oscar Lowe), and Lord Farquaad (Joshua Moore). Credit: Sharyn Hall, Savoyards. Note: Image supplied, not a Creative Futures Photography image).
Shrek The Musical would not have been a success without the work of the whole ensemble; with the exception of Alicia Brite (Mama Bear) each member of the ensemble had at least two roles, including Jake Allen/Fraser Lowe (Young Shrek/Baby Bear), and Kurt Schouten (Pig/Thelonious). There must have been a frenzy of activity behind the scenes to ensure that no cue was missed and that each costume change was made in time (thanks to the whole cast, and the able work of Chloe Harrison, Stage Manager).
Ideally, if the terms of the licence had allowed, I would like to have seen the second half run a little shorter—for example, perhaps by removing Shrek’s ‘Build a Wall.’ But my congratulations to the Savoyards creatives for producing this great addition to the Savoyards program—and for enabling their cast to shine. The very long list of people to congratulate for all of the behind-the-scenes work include David Harrison (Director), Nicky Griffith (Musical Director, assisted by Lily Colmer), Julianne Burke (Choreographer), Walter Lago (Executive Producer), David Harrison & Glenn Anderson (Set Design) and Tori Harrison (Scenic Design). I am sure they were also joining in, behind the scenes, as the closing ‘I’m a Believer’ number ended a fun evening.
Picture: Lord Farquaad (Joshua Moore) with the Duloc Dancers. Credit: Sharyn Hall, Savoyards. Note: Image supplied, not a Creative Futures Photography image.
Audience information: Shrek The Musical (22 June-6 July), IONA Performing Arts Centre. 85 North Rd, Lindum QLD 4178. 175 minutes (including 20 minute interval). All ages. Flashing lights, loud noises, pyrotechnics, limited smoke and haze. Tickets $30-52, plus $1.20 processing fee (family tickets for 2 adults & 2 children, $149).
Credits: Based on the DreamWorks Animation Motion Picture and the Book by William Steig. Book and Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire, Music by Jeanine Tesori. Originally produced on Broadway by DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions. Licensed exclusively by Music Theatre International (Australasia). “Original Production Directed by Jason Moore and Rob Ashford”
The reviewer attended the opening night performance (7:30pm, Saturday 22 June, 2024).