SHREK | STAGE PREVIEW
Halfway through a rave reviewed UK tour, DreamWorks brings Shrek The Musical to Cardiff, and this charming spectacle has swept many off their feet. Get ready to rejoin our favourite uncharismatic, unhygienic and relentlessly pessimistic protagonist, Shrek (Dean Chisnall) and his larger than life, blabber mouthed right hand companion, Donkey (Idriss Kargbo) as they strive to save the beautiful and headstrong Princess Fiona. Throw a love struck, fire breathing dragon into the mix, along with a comically short, villainous Lord Farquaad, the conniving fairy godmother, dancing pigs, relentless liar Pinocchio and other beloved characters from the films and you have a recipe fit for all the family.
Shrek The Musical made its stage debut back in Seattle, 2008, but has since kicked on from its humble beginnings taking the US, Europe and Australia by storm, most notably performing and securing themselves at Broadway and the West End. The play’s composer, Jeanine Tesori, and the play’s author/lyricist, David Lindsay Abaire have been nominated for a Grammy and two Tony awards for their work on Shrek The Musical.
As we know, Mike Myers did a magnificent job in creating a cranky, clumsy, yet brave and kind-hearted ogre. Anyone who attempts to portray the character has a tough task of filling the giant stinking boots of the green monster, and although Dean Chisnall does not steal the show, he does capture the essence of Shrek.
Animated films, namely Disney, have crossed over to theatre on many occasions. Their films have everything we look for on the stage; drama, laughs, singing and dancing, but the cliché storyline does get repetitive. DreamWorks’ Shrek doesn’t claim to be original, it still follows the same save-the-beautiful-princess and overcome darkness plotline that most fairy tales do, but it does have an ability to spin said clichés.
Shrek The Musical offers all the fun and laughter you could ask for out of a comedic musical.
Shrek The Musical, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff. Tue 8 Dec-Sun 10 Jan. Tickets: £18-56.50. Info: www.wmc.org.uk
words GAVIN WOODWARD
photo HELEN MAYBANKS
