Shrek the Musical (Willenhall Musical Theatre Company)

The Big Green Guy is back at the Mill Theatre, Sedgley, this time courtesy of Willenhall Musical Theatre Company and he (and his chums, well the ones he likes, tough luck Farquaad!) are as effervescent as ever. However let's talk Dragon's first, not known for their singing and this one gets, one song, one opportunity to nail it or skulk back off into her dungeon and Abbie Wild hammers a whole sack of nails into it with a stellar performance of 'Forever'.

Daniel Haddon embraces all the facets of our friendly neighbourhood ogre with a powerful and clear vocal, backed-up by some other rather loud bodily sounds that shall remain unmentioned, you will learn to believe that Young Shrek played at this performance by Oliver Rudge will morph into a hero of the underdog. Will Phipps is an energetic and facially expressive (more different expressions from one face I have never seen) Donkey, full of energy, thoroughly likeable and if you've never witnessed a singing quadruped now is your chance.

Even an ogre needs a true-love and if she is an ogre herself and a princess as well, more the better, Rachel Chadwick is a truly sassy and ebullient Princess Fiona, despite umpteen days in a tower (with only a chamber pot and no toilet!). Always a privilege to watch the 'I Know It's Today' number and see the different ages of Fiona montage together, even greater spectacle when the three voices are as exquisite as these are with Meghan Tabner (Teen Fiona) and on this occasion Alarna Samuels (Young Fiona) joining that trio.

Suppose I have left it too long before mentioning 'old shorty' or Lord Farquaad as he likes to call himself, hater of fairy-tale characters, his father and anybody who doesn't agree with him and lover of ..... well himself (not even sure his Guard Captain (Dave Callaghan) thinks much of him)! Dom Napier is annoyingly self-obsessed in this role but, certainly elicits considerable audience reaction with a performance that is full of character if a little short on stature!

Evicting characters from well known tales that we all love is a dangerous thing for Farquaad to do that will very likely backfire, whether it is James Totney as excitable puppet Pinocchio (or is he a real boy, let the nose decide), Abbie Sellick's vociferous Gingy, Jim Steventon's cross-dressing Big Bad Wolf or any one of a plethora of others all played with equal skill and passion coming together to raise the roof in the number 'Freak Flag'.

This is a stunningly entertaining production of what is now a well loved tale in its own right and made so by the experienced hands of Alf Rai (Director), Rob Murray (Musical Director) and Lindsey Vickers (Choreographer) who have stamped their own mark on the history of Shrek.

Take a break from reality and make your way to Duloc for some top class entertainment, while there are still some performances left.

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