Shrek The Musical

Based on the Dreamworks Animation Motion Picture
and the book by William Steig

Originally produced on Broadway by
DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions

This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International (Europe). All authorised performance materials are also supplied by MTI Europe www.mtishows.co.uk

Following their 2019 production of Mack and Mabel the multiple-award winning Carlton Operatic Society will be back at the Theatre Royal Nottingham with the larger than life blockbuster Shrek – The Musical!

Based on the story and characters from the Oscar®™ winning DreamWorks Animation Film, this hilarious and spectacular production turns the world of fairytales upside down in an all-singing, all-dancing must-see musical comedy.

Join Shrek and his loyal steed Donkey as they set off on a quest to rescue the beautiful Princess Fiona from her tower, guarded by a fire-breathing, love-sick dragon. Add the vertically challenged Lord Farquaad, a gang of fairytale misfits, and a biscuit with attitude and you've got an irresistible mix of adventure, laughter and romance, guaranteed to delight audiences of all ages!

3rd - 7th May 2022, Nottingham Theatre Royal

Performances

• Tuesday 3rd May 7pm
• Wednesday 4th May 2pm & 7pm
• Thursday 5th May 2pm & 7pm
• Friday 6th May 7pm
• Saturday 7th May 2pm & 7pm

• Stalls: £30.50 (concessions £27.50), £27.50 (£25.00), £24.50 (£22.50)
• Dress Circle: £30.50 (£27.50), £27.50 (£25.00)
• Upper Circle: £27.50 (£25.00)
• Balcony: £17.50

Concessions & Special Offers

• Royal Friends: Concession prices on Tuesday evening performance only, excluding Balcony seats *
• Family ticket for 4 (up to 2 adults) £108 (top price tickets) or £100 (second price tickets)
• Under 25s, Over 60s, Students: Concession prices on all performances, excluding Balcony seats
• Groups 10+: Buy 10 tickets and get the 11th ticket free
• Registered Disabled: Accompanying adult free*

Please note that there are no concessions in the Balcony. * Only available via the Theatre Royal Box Office.

Noda

Although now established as a firm favourite on the Community Theatre circuit this is my first experience of Shrek the Musical and thanks to the talent, enthusiasm and sheer professionalism of the Carlton production team and cast this production is now very much my favourite post Covid show, and also the most complete show I have seen from Carlton in my 7 years of being a Noda representative.

As always the heart of the Carlton production was the musicality of the cast. Chris Rees had done a fantastic job coaching his talented ensemble cast of Villagers, Fairytale Creatures, Guards, Knights and Principals so their vocal work was crystal clear in diction and intonation. The Choreography of the show, thanks to Abby Wells, was amazing, from the Duloc Dancers to the Knights, Rat Tappers and Dragon Puppeteers. This coupled with the cast's acting skills developed to perfection by Amanda and Cassie Hall, resulted in a full cast who were: at ease with their roles; were all "in the moment" in terms of their actions, reactions and interactions, making the whole cast very much at ease in the impressive staging of the Theatre Royal. In other words – the whole cast were at home in the Professional Theatre and the audience would be hard pressed to tell this production apart from a touring professional group on top form.

For anyone familiar with the Shrek the Movie, at the heart of the show are Shrek, Donkey Fiona and Lord Farquaad and here the Carlton team had managed to select the perfect quartet. Chris Wilson, Mark Coffey-Bainbridge, Charlotte Barrington and Graham Ward together and individually knocked their performance socks off pulling for each other, delivering nuanced dialogue that pinged between them in their many metaphorical jousts and each delivered three dimensional characterisations that captivated their audience.

The 4 principals may be key to driving the narrative but the heart and soul of the production is completed by the strength in depth that the Carlton team brought in all the supporting characters and Dragon puppeteers. There are too many names to mention, all brought their A game and it was the great depth of talent, energy and precision that took the production to the Next Level.

Moving to the technical team, the set changes throughout the production were delivered at pace and ensured the action continued without pause or interruption. The Sound balance was perfect throughout the night ensuring that the diction of the cast always carried above the talented orchestra. Chris Rees and his Orchestra provided a superb soundscape throughout and judged the pacing of the songs expertly. The lighting design by Tom Mowat was some of the best I have seen at the Theatre Royal in any production and the Dragon Choreography was expertly delivered making the Dragon seem like just another human cast member. Costuming, prosthetics and props all helped to complete the show at the same high standard as the acting, singing and choreography.

So – bravo Carlton! This was very much a tour de force and one that you should all be very proud of.

I look forward to Kinky Boots next year.

Others

"If you can only afford to see one musical this month, make it 'Shrek'." - Kev Castle

"This is a lavish piece with an enormously talented cast and the highest of production values, that is doing the Theatre Royal proud... if you love theatre, are uplifted by fabulous acting, singing and dancing, or simply want a fun night out with the family; this has it all." - Theatre Online

"a superb production bringing every element together to entertain and enthral audiences of all ages. Bravo!" - EastMidlandsTheatre.com

"the audience would be hard pressed to tell this production apart from a touring professional group on top form... Bravo Carlton! This was very much a tour de force and one that you should all be very proud of." - NODA

"a brilliantly entertaining production that left me crying with laughter, enjoyable for all ages" - Impact Nottingham

"impressive... it's slick, it's polished, it's grand... very well done" - University Radio Nottingham Showtime

Download the reviews in full here