Invited – Review by Stephen Stokoe
Newcastle Theatre Royal – 1st July 2025
I think the first thing to mention about this production is a vote of thanks to the entire company of Newcastle Musical Theatre Company for their Herculean efforts in bringing this to the stage during record breaking temperatures. I was oozing from every pore and I was just sitting in the audience. Under the lights and wearing all manner of costumes and prosthetics but have been exquisite torture.
Shrek, in case you do not know, is the musical version of the Dreamworks animated movie of the same name. It concerns an ogre whose happy, solitary existence is disrupted by deemed undesirables Duloc under the orders of leader Lord Farquaad, Shrek vows to rid himself of the fairy tale folk and reclaim his swamp but must venture on a quest to rescue a princess from a tower guarded by a dragon in order to do so. Are you with me so far?
Shrek is played with great skill by Scott Allenby having passed through childhood via Charlie Williams-Cook. Every hero needs a sidekick and this is provided by a very talkative donkey called … erm … Donkey (James Clayton-Forster) I have seen James play this part before and if anything he has grown even more into the role and it is difficult not to think that you are listening to Eddie Murphy at times. His timing is superb throughout and never drops his character despite wearing what is, essentially, a hairy, padded boiler suit.
The love interest in the show is Princess Fiona. Caroline Sabiston is outstanding as the feisty non-nonsense royal with the nocturnal secret however in one adorable song we watch her grow from an idealistic child (tonight played by Matilda Lawson-Jack and on alternate performances by Emily McGrogan) and a slightly disillusioned teen (tonight played by Lila-Rose Routledge and on alternate performances by Isabel James.) This song, I know It’s Today, was one of many highlights of a polished and entertaining production.
The villain of the piece, Lord Farquaad is played superbly by Jonathan Goodman. His characterisation, vocals and sheer wicked joy in being wicked is an absolute joy to observe. The fact that he does this almost exclusively on his knees is admirable to say the very least.
The company is made up of the fairy tale characters most of us have grown up to love including a cross dressing wolf (Steven Dixon), a wicked witch (Jojo Hatfield), the three little pigs (Dan Collins, Eloise Damo and Zach Hardy) and a tap dancing Pied Piper (Kaeden Johnson-Ramsey.) This list is not exhaustive and all the characters are brought to life admirably by their players but it is when they all sing together that my jaw dropped. Malcolm Moffat has done an amazing job as MD and the chorus numbers were absolutely awesome as was his orchestra.
Shrek is all about magic and there is magic in every scene. There are some lovely touches and many surprises. If you have a Princess guarded by a dragon, then you need a dragon. Tonight this character was performed by Lucy McDowell and alternately by Devon Dolman but it is a team effort with Gina Faed, and Jojo Hatfield making up this complicated and passionate mythical beast.
Director and choreographer Sandra Laidler along with assistant director Carl Luke-Flanders have done an amazing job putting this show together. There is a lot of attention to detail and some lovely little tweaks and personal touches to enjoy. The scene in which my favourite song, Freak Flag, is performed is stunning and very slick given the sheer volume of performers on the stage at the time.
I always like to see generations of talent on stage and there were a couple of familial links in the cast this evening. Jojo Hatfield shared the stage with her son, Teddy who played the part of Grumpy (which was voiced, in turn, by NMTC stalward Ken Allan) and Helen Cash who played the part of Humpty Dumpty was joined on stage by her son Alexander as Baby Bear. It is great to see that community theatre is in safe hands with new blood coming through and supported by seasoned performers.
Technically, this production is excellent too. The set by Scenic Projects is very faithful to the film. The sound provided by Tyne Audio is as crisp as any of the many professional productions I have enjoyed at the Theatre Royal. I will have to mention the make up artists who, for this show, really have their work cut out so take a bow, Carol and Kate Jackson, Alice Murray, Hannah Cadman, Jane Newton, Karen Collins and Tyler Moore.
There is something for everybody in this production. Amazing performances, superb acting, theatre magic, bubbles and fart jokes. What is not to like?
Do not miss your opportunity to be in the swamp where it happens this week at Newcastle Theatre Royal for Newcastle Musical Theatre Company’s production of Shrek the Musical.