Act Reviews 2024 / 2025 Season

SHREK the Musical Music by Jeanine Tesori; Book and Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire Based on the DreamWorks Animation Motion Picture and the book by William Steig Director: Natalie Bowden Musical Director: Claire Sweeney Choreographer: Cathryn Yates New Mills A.O. & D.S. The New Mills A.O. & D.S. production of Shrek the Musical was a colourful, joyful, and hilarious celebration of the beloved animated tale. Faithfully adapted for the stage, the show delivered all the warmth, humour, and heart of the original story while showcasing the impressive talents of its cast and creative team. If you haven’t seen the original film, spoiler alert! Shrek The Musical tells the story of an unlikely hero, Shrek, a grumpy ogre who lives in a swamp. His solitude is disrupted when a group of fairy-tale creatures, exiled by the evil Lord Farquaad, takes refuge in his home. To reclaim his swamp, Shrek agrees to rescue Princess Fiona from a tower guarded by a fearsome dragon so Farquaad can marry her and become king. Along the way, Shrek is joined by the chatty and lovable Donkey, and together they face challenges that reveal Fiona’s surprising secret - she transforms into an ogre at night due to a curse. As Shrek and Fiona grow closer, they learn to embrace their true selves, proving that love and friendship can be found in the most unexpected places. The story is a heartwarming celebration of individuality, acceptance, and finding beauty beyond appearances. Jeremy Clark, as Shrek, brought a gruff yet endearing appeal to the title role. His performance captured the layers of the ogre’s personality, making him both relatable and heroic. He came across as stiff and unfriendly, which slowly ebbed away as he connected with Fiona, only to come back, and then finally soften completely. Jeremy played Shrek well and brought a familiarity to the role. David Brittles brought boundless energy and infectious charm to the role of Donkey, making every moment he was on stage a joy to watch. From the moment he burst onto the scene, David had the audience in stitches with his razor-sharp comic timing, witty delivery, and larger-than-life personality. His portrayal embraced the character’s campy flair and relentless enthusiasm, turning Donkey into the ultimate lovable sidekick. Whether delivering cheeky one-liners, expressing outrage in his trademark dramatic fashion, or grooving along to the music, David had the audience eating out of the palm of his hand.

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