SOUTHEND THEATRE SCENE
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REVIEW
✭✭✭✭☆ 4/5
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SHREK THE MUSICAL
29 August – 2 September 2023
The Cliffs Pavilion, Southend

 www.thecliffspavilion.co.uk
With monstrously good timing, Shrek the Musical roars into Southend’s Cliffs Pavilion to give every parent absolutely no excuse not to keep their little ones entertained, right up to the very end of the summer holidays.

Can you believe that the Shrek movie, starring Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz is now over twenty years old?  Me either, but the years will fade away the moment you set sight on the Dreamworks characters that are brought to life on stage in this Shrek the Musical touring production, stopping off at Southend until the 2nd September.

The storyline is just the same as the film with Shrek the ogre finding himself on a life changing journey, accompanied by wisecracking Donkey, to rescue the feisty Princess Fiona from her tower.  All the characters are here, including Gingy, Pinocchio, the three blind mice, Dragon and of course that vain little baddie, Lord Farquaad. The Story of My Life number is a fabulously fun introduction to all of the storybook characters.

Shrek is brilliantly played by Antony Lawrence, as the larger than life green ogre; and understudy, Imogen Bailey, does a delightful job covering a poorly Joanne Clifton, really making Princess Fiona her own. I loved the I Know It’s Today song that all the Fiona’s sing with some great harmonies as they grow older in the tower, waiting to be rescued by a handsome prince.

Brandon Lee Sears certainly doesn't disappoint as Shrek’s annoying yet loveable sidekick, Donkey, and Cherece Richards nearly blew the audience off their seats with her off the scale vocals in the role of Dragon.  It has to be said this whole production is pretty loud, in every sense of the word, with the casts’ powerful vocals really pushing the volume to the hilt.

Talking of powerful vocals, James Gillan also gets to show off a great singing voice although I couldn’t help but wonder why he wasn’t played as the diminutive and vertically challenged character that we have become accustomed to in previous productions.

There’s lots to take in and enjoy with plenty of laughs throughout and let’s face it, who doesn’t crack up at a fart joke?  With Shrek and Fiona, these are in abundance and the audience loved it.  There’s some great choreography in this production, including a fabulous tap dance routine from Princess Fiona and the rats in one energetic number.   The audience get the chance to join in at the end of the show with the popular  I’m a Believer number.

Shrek the Musical is a visual spectacular which maintains a great pace that will keep kids engrossed.  With lots of laughs and a little innuendo to keep the grownups  entertained, for a last minute summer holiday treat, Shrek the Musical really can’t be beat!

Review:  Kim Tobin
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Website: www.shrekuktour.com
Twitter: ShrekTourUK
Instagram: ShrekTourUK 
Facebook: ShrekTourUK

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Venue listings:

29 August – 2 September 2023
The Cliffs Pavilion, Southend
southendtheatres.org.uk 
On sale 8 June

5 September – 10 September 2023
The Sands Centre, Carlisle
betterboxoffice.co.uk/the-sands-centre
On sale now

12 September – 16 September 2023 
His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen
aberdeenperformingarts.com/his-majestys-theatre
On sale now

19 September – 24 September 2023
Oxford New Theatre
atgtickets.com/venues/new-theatre-oxford 
On sale now

26 September – 30 September 2023
New Wimbledon Theatre
atgtickets.com/venues/new-wimbledon-theatre
On sale now

2 October – 7 October 2023 
Orchard Theatre, Dartford
orchardtheatre.co.uk 
On sale 8 June

10 October – 15 October 2023
Royal & Derngate, Northampton
royalandderngate.co.uk 
On sale soon

24 October – 28 October 2023 
The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford
bradford-theatres.co.uk/venues/the-alhambra-theatre
On sale 11 July

30 October – 4 September 2023 
New Victoria Theatre, Woking
atgtickets.com/venues/new-victoria-theatre
On sale now

13 – 18 November 2023
Eastbourne Congress Theatre
eastbournetheatres.co.uk/venue/congress-theatre
On sale now 

20 November – 25 November 2023 
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff 
wmc.org.uk 
On sale 10 June

27 November – 2 December 2023 
Grand Opera House York
atgtickets.com/venues/grand-opera-house-york 
On sale now

12 December – 30 December 2023
Blackpool Winter Gardens
wintergardensblackpool.co.uk
On sale 10 June
Produced by Mark Goucher, Gavin Kalin and Matthew Gale
Directed by Sam Holmes and Nick Winston
Choreographed by Nick Winston
Set and Costume Design by Philip Witcomb

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  • Home
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