Anticipating a renewed encounter with the charms of love by chance, I found myself brimming with excitement. The memory of my inaugural viewing of Shrek at the tender age of five is etched vividly in my mind. Even in my youthful innocence, there was an intuitive recognition that this cinematic creation possessed a timeless quality destined to withstand the trials of time.
Why do I hold such a conviction? Well, it could be attributed to the fact that I made it a ritual to engage with Shrek on a weekly basis for the majority of a year during my formative years. This practice seamlessly transitioned to the release of Shrek 2 in 2004, a sequel often celebrated as a paragon of cinematic continuation, rivaling even the illustrious The Godfather Part II (or so I’ve heard, as my dear friend Ken has yet to initiate me into that experience).
The subtle and subliminal messages that the film subtly weaved into its narrative left an indelible mark on my psyche. Revisiting the film as an adult has only served to augment my profound adoration for its storyline. Thus, it was with a heightened sense of enthusiasm that I secured a seat at the venerable Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, prepared to embark on a journey of rekindling my affection for Shrek in its entirety.
Regarding the Musical’s Score, there’s an important distinction to make. Expecting to be enveloped by the familiar strains of the original soundtrack, featuring timeless gems like “Hallelujah,” “I’m On My Way,” and the iconic “Bad Reputation,” would lead to mild disappointment. The musical adaptation has chosen an entirely different musical landscape, replete with fresh compositions. It’s fortunate that I was privy to this information before the performance, given the cultural significance of the original film’s musical accompaniment, which has continued to resonate powerfully even after a span of twenty-two years.
Nonetheless, amidst this divergence, a sprinkling of nostalgic resonance emerges with renditions of “Welcome to Duloc” and “I’m A Believer,” offering a modicum of comfort to those who, like me, hold the original soundtrack dear to their hearts.
Venturing into the realm of character portrayal, one must acknowledge the complex challenge that Shrek the Musical faced. The formidable shadow cast by its cinematic predecessor served as both a beacon to strive towards and a potential pitfall. The collective vocal prowess of the cast was undeniable, particularly spotlighting Cherece Richards’ impeccable portrayal of Dragon and Brandon Lee Sears’ captivating embodiment of Donkey. However, the transition from screen to stage seemed to dilute some of the nuances that defined Shrek’s persona in the films. Antony Lawrence exhibited commendable dedication in his role, navigating the intricacies of performing beneath the veneer of green facial paint and prosthetic enhancements. Nonetheless, a certain intangible essence appeared to elude the portrayal, leaving a sense of incompleteness.
Remarkably, it was the character of Lord Farquaad, brought to life by James Gillan, who managed to commandeer the spotlight. Every flick of his lustrously ostentatious wig held the audience in rapt attention. Regretfully, the limited stage time allocated to this compelling character left me yearning for more, an emotion I would never have envisaged when, during the film version, I would have rooted for his downfall. It’s conceivable that young viewers encountering the character through the musical lens may experience a measure of disenchantment with this alternative rendition of Farquaad.
Another revelation was Donkey, portrayed with exuberant vivacity by Brandon Lee Sears. His performance exuded an energy and charisma that would undoubtedly have elicited approval from Eddie Murphy himself, adding a dash of vivaciousness to the character that elevated it to new heights.
Joanne Clifton’s rendition of Princess Fiona and the ensemble of enchanting creatures including Pinocchio, The Big “Bad” Wolf, and Fairy Godmother (regrettably absent of the iconic “Holding Out for a Hero” rendition, a fervent hope for a prospective Shrek 2 The Musical, perhaps) exuded an infectious enthusiasm, inducing an omnipresent smile punctuated by spontaneous laughter throughout the performance.
Summarily, this theatrical endeavor confronted a monumental task: the transmutation of an iconic film into a live musical experience. It is perhaps an inherently biased endeavor to juxtapose these two mediums, especially for someone who cherishes the original Shrek as a cornerstone of their childhood. The musical valiantly embarked on a journey of reimagining, infusing additional layers into the backstory of Shrek and Fiona, while adeptly integrating cherished scenes almost verbatim from the film, including the memorable exchange between the Gingerbread Man and Lord Farquaad, replete with the timeless query, “Do you know the muffin man?”
While the process of transitioning from screen to stage might not always be a seamless one, Shrek the Musical, in my estimation, accomplished this transformation commendably, warranting a solid rating of 7 out of 10 from an adult who holds the original narrative in deep regard. However, it is my belief that for the younger members of the audience and those exuberantly echoing laughter every couple of minutes in the vicinity behind me, this rating would likely ascend even higher on the scale of appreciation.
Should you find yourself with the opportunity, Shrek the Musical continues its captivating run at the illustrious Bord Gáis Energy Theatre until August 20th. Tickets await your acquisition on their official website, promising an encounter with an alternative dimension of the beloved Shrek tale that has captured hearts across generations.”
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