Shrek: The Musical was as much of a success at the box office as it was on stage, making history as the first production by the Musical Theatre Society to have sold out the Bloomsbury Theatre for three consecutive nights.
The cast enraptured the audience with charm and brought the house down with infectious energy. This brilliant performance of the beloved fairy tale was nothing short of foot-tapping numbers, clever humour, and technical finesse.
From the moment Papa and Mama Ogre sent Baby Shrek away with a beautiful rendition of “Big Bright Beautiful World”, it was clear the show would be a visual and auditory delight.
The cast’s commitment to their roles was admirable. I cannot imagine being on my knees throughout the show like Mary McHarg was as Lord Farquaad. But after all, in her words, Farquaad is the only man you’ll get on your knees for.
Donkey’s (Tumo Reetsang) constant pursuit of Shrek’s companionship added plenty of comedy, especially when Donkey goes down on one knee for him. Shrek played by the brilliant Oliver Sykes blew the crowd away with his incredible vocals and Sophia Mencattelli who portrayed Fiona had the voice of a real-life Disney princess.
It would be a grave injustice to talk about this production and not give the stage crew and band the credit they deserve. The lighting team dazzled with dynamic shifts setting the tone for pivotal moments, especially during the songs, while the orchestra enriched the show with amazing crescendos and harmonies.
With stellar vocals, laugh-out-loud moments, and a team that clearly poured their hearts into every detail, the UCL Musical Theatre Society’s Shrek: The Musical was an absolute triumph.
