Shrek the Musical
opened at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane on the 14th June 2011 after having a
successful run on
Broadway and on tour in the USA. The show has
received lots of publicity from having stars
such as Amanda Holden featured so my expectation was reasonably high because of
the hype that the producers had surrounded the show with. However, I can say I
am more than disappointed with this production.
The show was not
like the original Broadway one, if it was I would have been happy but the level
of quality of the scenery was not even tour standard. I sat through the first
act with my head in my hands wondering how such a terrible show is being allowed
to play to paying West End audiences; I would have walked out in the interval if
I wasn't with someone who wanted to watch the second act.
The show just seemed
cheap, the costumes and scenery both reflected this.Amanda Holden and
Richard Blackwood were the worst casting decision ever to be made in the history
of theatre, Richard Blackwood was more wooden than a park bench and delivered
the lines with no feeling or emotion behind them and Amanda Holden just seemed
to scream at the audience every time she had a song however her acting was at a
good level and she did portray the role in a passable manner.
Nigel Lindsay and
Nigel Harman were great as Shrek and Lord Farquaad, as were the ensemble (whose
talent was understated throughout the whole show, Freak Flag was the best number
in the entire production and this was understated by the rest of the
show).
But Landi Oshinowo
stole the show as the Voice of the Dragon. I feel cheated by the producers, the show
was made out to be something it really wasn't and I am genuinely very frustrated
at the producer's decisions. The first act, in comparison to the second, was a
lot worse and the atmosphere felt less tense but I do feel this show was simply
just awful.
People who really
don't care about the quality of a show and want to take their children to a show
they feel would be fun should definitely go see this show, by all means. But if
you care about the quality of the show, don't see this show. All I can say is I
would rather watch paint dry than watch this show because it would most likely
put on a better show than they did.
Rating:
**
Shrek The Musical
runs at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane
