Stage Productions is a Company based in Stoke-on-Trent that gives the opportunity for local talent to take to the professional stage at the Regent Theatre on an annual basis.
This year’s production is Shrek The Musical and all involved can be pleased that their version of the well-known musical based on a famous cartoon can generally be favourably compared to that of professional productions of this slice of comedic theatre.
The story tells of Shrek (Scotty Armstrong) who is thrown out into the world by his parents at the tender age of seven. The ogre has matured into a grumpy adult who is content with his lonely life in his swamp. However, all is about to change.
Lord Farquaad (Will Henshall) has evicted a mass of fairytale characters from his putative kingdom of Duloc as he does not want his city to be populated by what he calls freaks. Led by Pinocchio (Miles Lesniak), the group of refugees implore Shrek to go to Duloc and beg the Lord to allow the “freaks” to return to their former homes.
With great reluctance, but also with the realisation that this would be the only way to restore his glorious isolation, Shrek decides to make his way to the city. On his way, Shrek encounters a talking donkey (Nathan Adams) who has been captured by Farquaad’s men and, using his monster powers, frightens the guards into freeing the ass.
The acquisition of a companion is not what Shrek wanted and he is clearly irritated by the four-legged friend’s silly attempts to ingratiate himself with the monster but they do eventually make their way to Farquaad’s domain.
There, they discover that the Lord has been told that he will never become a King until he finds a Princess to marry. Farquaad decides that the best of three options delivered to him is Fiona.
Princess Fiona has been isolated at the top of a tower defended by a dragon (Grace Forrester) from early childhood after her parents decided that it was the only way to protect her from a curse placed on her by a witch. Over the years of her exile, Fiona has become a headstrong young lady who has never lost faith that one day she will be rescued by a prince and the first kiss from her true love will free her from the burden.
Farquaad decides that Shrek has the qualities to overcome the defences that imprison the young princess and sends him to the tower with the promise that if he successfully returns with his would-be bride then he will be able to return to his lonely but happy life in the swamp.
The mission proves successful but as the journey is made back to Duloc Fiona and Shrek realise that they have much in common – not least the ability to make disgusting noises with their excess wind. With the donkey becoming increasingly closer to his new companions it is clear that Shrek and Fiona are also becoming closer and the donkey is doing his best to make sure that the relationship becomes more than mere friendship.
Unfortunately, there are obstacles in the way. What exactly is the curse placed on Fiona? And will Fiona fall for what she believes is a handsome prince that awaits her?
Director Rob Stevens has done an excellent job in casting for the main roles. A story that tells how much of life is the development of friendships requires empathetic characters to portray that on stage. Armstrong, Strong and Adams have that empathy and make the story very believable. The fact that Armstrong and Strong both have excellent voices and comedic timing while Adams is every bit as silly as the audience would want all help to provide great enjoyment. Henshall is an excellent baddie and Forrester seizes her moment in the spotlight with great verve.
In addition to the main characters, there is excellent support from all other cast members and Choreographer Grace Forrester has done a great job with the busy and varied dance routines. Accompanied by a band under the Direction of Jonathan Cliffe, this is a very acceptable version of Shrek.
While occasionally not having the slickness of a professional production, this should be no turn-off for those attending and a reviewer should look towards the positives which are there in abundance. Certainly, the packed audience showed their five-star approval at the final curtain with a thunderous standing ovation.
One slight criticism is that this is definitely a family show and it was so good to see so many young people in the audience. However, with a running time of approximately 2 hours 45 minutes including interval the show did not finish until well after 10 pm and a number of families left before the finale as the younger audience members became fractious. Possibly a start time of 7 pm would be more appropriate?
Overall, though, this was a very enjoyable evening’s entertainment. A big thumbs up. I am truly a Believer.
The show continues until Saturday 28th. For ticket information, contact atgtickets.com/stoke.
