(Lyle Buxton as Shrek & Jessica Sole as
Princess Fiona)\
(Pic
by Val Adamson)
Splendid
production worth every cent of the ticket price. (Review by Caroline Smart)
I have
to confess that until this evening, I hadn’t really connected with the story or
the movie of Shrek so I didn’t know what
to expect when I entered the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre to see KickstArt’s largest and most expensive production to date.
Shrek is based on
the 2001 Dream Works film Shrek! and William Steig’s
1990 book Shrek! The musical adaptation has book and lyrics by
David Lindsay Abaire and music by Jeanine Tesori.
It was
an extremely bold – and highly expensive - move on KickstArt’s part to present
the South African premier of this West End musical adaptation of the hit movie.
With excellent performances, delicious humour and upbeat music, Durban's Shrek the Musical is a superb production with a large cast and worth every cent of the
ticket price. Under Steven Stead’s meticulous direction, Greg King’s
spell-binding sets and stunning costumes, it’s an absolute winner ... and I’m now a
Shrek convert!
The story in brief is this: Shrek is an
ogre who was cast out by his parents when he turned seven. He lives in a swamp
in contented isolation until a whacky donkey enters his life who initially irritates
the life out of Shrek but soon they become friends. Then a bunch of fairytale
characters arrive and decide to make the swamp their home, having been banished
by the evil Lord Farquaard.
In order to get rid of them, Shrek
approaches Farquaard to evict them. Having a hidden agenda, Farquaard agrees - on
condition that Shrek rescues the beautiful Princess Fiona. who
is incarcerated in a tower and guarded by a dragon.
Performances are excellent all round in a cast that includes well-known
Durban actors and audience response proved the success of this production which
could hold its own on any international stage.
Kobus van Heerden – a much shorter version –
was hilarious as the evil Lord Farquaard and mention must be made of Graeme
Wicks as Pinocchio. Donkey is a role to die for and Rory Booth fulfilled it to
perfection, making the most of the comedy lines such as “I’m like a GPS with
fur!”
Jessica Sole gives a stunning performance
as the feisty Princess Fiona and impresses with her vocal range and sense of
comedy. It is difficult to act behind a mask when the audience can't see the emotions
on your face, but Lyle Buxton gives us a fine portrayal of the ogre who falls in
love with a princess with a dark secret. He handles some beautiful songs with
passion and sincerity. There is a hilarious scene of one-upmanship between the
two of them involving a farting and belching match which is done so well that
it is in no way offensive.
It’s impossible to mention every special
moment but the dragon - which is into funk/fusion music, voiced by Shelley McLean
and handled by Peter Court - must rank as one of Greg King’s most outstanding
achievements. Gingy
the Gingerbread Man (Charon Williams Ros) and the Three Blind Mice are
enchanting. There’s also a delightful sequence as Shrek
and Donkey set out on their journey with a revolving landscape in the
background.
The hard-working ensemble cast is in and
out of numerous characters in dizzying costume-changes. This is a highly
complex production technically so full credit to the technicians and backstage
crew whose expertise ensures that the show runs smoothly. Musical direction is by Justin Southey and choreography by Janine
Bennewith, with lighting by Tina le Roux and musical direction by Shelley
McLean.
Shrek runs at the Elizabeth
Sneddon Theatre until June 28 with performances from Tuesday to Saturday at
19h00 with shows at 13h30 on Saturdays and Sundays. There
is a special Youth Day performance on June 16 at 13h30. Ticket prices R295, R250
or R200 (R250, R200 or R180 for children under 12 and pensioners.) No children
under six. Booking
is now open at Computicket.
A family package is on offer for a family
of four or five people to enjoy R290-R390 savings on top price tickets on Tues,
Wed and Thursday evenings before June 18. A discount package of a family of
four in the top price range costs R800 (usual price R1,090). A family of five
package can also be made available for R950 on those nights.
For
block bookings of 10 or more, contact Ailsa Windsor of Going Places: 083 250
2690 or editor.goingplacessa@gmail.com –
Caroline Smart
Catch Clive Read’s promote for the show on the URL Code https://youtu.be/TrEKpGCQA84 Embed Code
for Websites
<iframe width="560" height="315"
src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TrEKpGCQA84"
frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
More information on these theatre promos from Clive Read 082
570 5364 at www.cliveread.co.za or www.durbantheatrepreviews.co.za
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