Having ‘greenified’ both Broadway and the West End, Shrek the Musical kicks off its UK & Ireland Tour in Leeds and it certainly lands on its fat green feet. This touring production is full of infectious energy and Broadway magic, and looks certain to delight audiences universally. There’s a never a dull moment in this smart and intelligent stage adaptation.
The story matches that of the film fairly closely. We follow Shrek and Donkey, forced onto a quest to save Princess Fiona by the vertically challenged Lord Farquaad. We see the gradual unravelling of Shrek’s character, as he and Princess Fiona embark on a more personal journey together. There’s a heap of fairytale characters thrown in, and a rather impressive dragon. Together, they make a show with real heart and intimacy, combined with big ensemble show-stopping energy, and that’s what makes Shrek really shine.
