With a plot line involving a diminutive dictator banishing quirky “freaks” to a swamp in the woods in order to restore “perfection” to his kingdom, you’d be forgiven for thinking that you had stumbled on, not Shrek, but Hitler the Musical.

However, when you throw into the mix a talking donkey (a crowd-pleasing turn by Marcus Ayton making an ass of himself in a cross between Isaac Hayes and Alan Carr), a troop of tap-dancing rodents under the slick choreography of Josh Prince and a cross-dressing wolf who wants to take a walk on the wild side, then you know you’re in for an entertaining romp which matches the name of the curtain call band: mirth, wind and fire.

Photo by: Tristram Kenton

With the mirth being supplied by an excellent Samuel Holmes as Lord Farquaad whose poker face, dry delivery and physical buffoonery elevates the humour from chuckle-inducing to sidesplitting (his hilarious leg swinging giving Kenny Everett’s Cupid Stunt a run for her “it’s all in the best possible taste” money).

The fire being fuelled by the powerful pipes of understudy Jennifer Tierney’s dragon. And the wind a joined at the hip effort by the effortless and amiable Steffan Harri as Shrek and the equally accomplished Amelia Lily as the cursed Princess Fiona who dart off for a fart off which results in an exchange of rings!

Hi ho, high low, it’s into the woods they go for a right royal romp and a second UK tour under the skillful direction of Nigel Harman (who won an Olivier Award for his role as Lord Farquaad in the original West End production) in which outsiders are urged to embrace their inner freak and everyone, including a horse named Brexit, lives happily ever after.

If only the same could be said about the pantomime horse in danger of unseating Theresa Dismay!

Peter Callaghan
Latest posts by Peter Callaghan (see all)