Shrek: The Musical
★★★★★ Ogre-homa!
Loretto School Theatre: Wed 12 – Sat 15 Feb 2025
Review by Martin Gray
Grey February nights turn a joyous green as Mama present Shrek The Musical at Loretto School Theatre until Saturday. The tale of an ogre, a donkey and a princess rescuing one another from loneliness is brought to brilliant life in the company’s 75th anniversary production.
Non-professional groups often choose plays with masses of room for everyone to get a moment, which usually means villagers everywhere. Shrek, though, has a built-in mechanism allowing for dozens of parts that, while secondary, are marvellously showy.
The ensemble of fairytale creatures. Pic: Moments by Alexandra.
Said engine is the cadre of fairytale creatures who arrive in Shrek’s swamp one day, wrecking his splendid isolation. The Gingerbread Man, the Three Bears, Pinocchio and many more colourful ‘freaks’ have been exiled from the land of Duloc by the evil – and exceedingly short – Lord Farquaad.
If Shrek wants to regain his space he’s going to have to travel to Duloc and confront the tiny tyrant. So off he sets, palling up with Donkey and setting off on a quest for Farquaad to rescue the princess, Fiona…
superb production
Unless you’ve been living in a swamp you likely know the gist of Shrek, based on the original 2001 Dreamworks animation. Ogre meets girl, girl has a secret and so on. It was first reworked for the stage in 2008 and while the songs aren’t always the most memorable, Mama’s superb production will likely be well remembered for a good while.
Euan Dixon (Shrek) and Kevin McConnachie (Donkey). Pic: Moments by Alexandra.
In large part, that’s due to the trio playing Shrek, Princess Fiona and Donkey: Euan Dixon, Daisy Morrison and Kevin McConnachie – who are superb. Whether solo, in pairs or all together, they command the stage, their acting and comedy chops making these most unusual folk feel as real as your average Mike Leigh characters – the emotions ring true. Their chemistry is fantastic, with every joke landing – and what a treat to hear Shrek with a genuine Scottish accent.
bringing the sass
The singing is a joy too, with Dixon showing a lovely tone, Morrison matching him note for note and McConnachie bringing the sass.
A big shout-out as well, to Emily Nicoll and Kendra Laird, as Young Fiona and Teen Fiona, who sing a verse each of origin song I Know It’s Today, before harmonising with their ‘other’ selves.
Graeme Aitken (Lord Farqaad) and his minions. Pic: Moments by Alexandra.
Graeme Aitken is a hoot as Lord Farqaad, playing the whole show on his knees and never failing to nail the laugh. Nikki Taylor gives a pitch perfect Pinocchio, the ‘I want to be a real boy’ bit as funny as it is poignant, while Adam Fotheringhame brings the Gingerbread Man to sweet life while rocking some rather cool lederhosen. Kirsty McBain also looks great, and sounds truly amazing, as the Dragon who falls for Donkey.
The ensemble of fairytale creatures are brilliant to a (muffin) man, singing with gusto, dancing with precision, and cracking gags with style. Their big numbers, Story of My Life and Freak Flag, are highlights of the show. And they all look the part, thanks to Utopia Costumes Forfar, with Mama’s own Penny Riddoch and Hannah Palmer overseeing the wardrobe.
simple and spot-on
Sets are simple and spot-on, always enough to convey setting and mood, never more than necessary, thanks to John Haldane, Paul Inglis and Caroline Inglis, while Heather McLusky’s lighting design is narratively useful.
Kevin McConnachie (Donkey) and Kirsty McBain (Dragon). Pic: Moments by Alexandra.
The seven-piece band, led by musical director Kerry-Anne Dougan, blend brilliantly, never missing a beat with the complex score and making it that much easier for the cast to put across Claire Riddoch’s choreography (extra points to the very glam Three Blind Mice).
heart
Pulling everything together, director Caroline Inglis ensures the production has as much heart as it does brio.
If you want a happy ending, Shrek The Musical has it. It also has a happy middle and a pretty happy beginning. If that isn’t enough, try the unique green ice cream created by Musselburgh’s own Di Rollo… could any ogre ask for more?
Running time: Two hours and 45 minutes (including one interval)
Loretto School Theatre, Millhill, Musselburgh.
Wed 12 – Sat 15 Feb 2025
Evenings: 7.30pm, Sat mat: 2pm.
Tickets and details: Book here.
The principals take a promotional trip to de Rollo’s icecream parlour. Pic: Moments by Alexandra.
ENDS
