Stage Review Shrek The Musical

 

Brandon Lee Sears (Donkey) and Antony Lawrence (Shrek) in Shrek the Musical UK and Ireland Tour 2023-4 Photography Marc Brenner  

The story order of the DreamWorks' film Shrek (2001) is structured pretty well here, but Shrek The Musical gives us real-life versions of much loved, fictional characters that were created using CGI animation techniques for film, and so it is quite a challenge for anyone to emotionally invest in a stage version concept like this. Secondly, with original music with loud, grating vocals and awful lyrics the songs are instantly forgettable there is not much to love on that score.

Nevertheless, when I attend a family show like this one I try to park the critic and appeal to my inner child. Unfortunately, though I tried, this production had little that truly gladdened me or warmed my heart.

I end this short review with mentions of the positives: everyone attached to this production is extremely hard working and they put in the effort 100%, there is much energy, movement and dance, the staging; the lighting; the video projection techniques and the puppetry are fabulous.

**ENDS**

Review by Theatre Critic, Debra Hall who attended The Belgrade Theatre in Coventry on Thursday 01 February 2024 at 7.00 pm


REFERENCES


Shrek on Tour https://shrekuktour.com/


The Belgrade Theatre Press Release SHREK THE MUSICAL - PLAYING AT THE BELGRADE THEATRE 30 JANUARY - 4 FEBRUARY 2024 including production photography
Oct 31 2023


The Belgrade Theatre https://www.belgrade.co.uk/events/shrek-the-musical/