Shrek the Musical at the Marlowe is a fairy-tale experience like no other

If I had to pick a movie that defined my generation, I’d have to go with Shrek. A film that I, and so many others, watched countless times as a kid and still love as an adult - especially because I now get half the jokes that went straight over my head when I was little.

There’s no denying that Shrek really is a childhood staple for anyone who grew up in the early 2000s and has become an iconic part of pop-culture. From the countless iconic quotes and references that are quipped to this today, to the memes and merch, including a very extensive clothing range on sale in Primark right now for some reason, Shrek is still everywhere.

So I’ve of course always been very curious about its musical counterpart. For me, the original was so perfectly executed that it’s almost impossible to improve upon, and though Shrek 2 is great, the follow up sequels were lacklustre to say the least.

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Because of that, I really didn't know what to expect from Shrek the Musical, but given the rave reviews I’d heard from friends who were much bigger theatre-heads than myself, I felt compelled to one day watch it. So, the second I saw it was headed to our very own Canterbury, I knew it was finally time to scratch this one off the bucket list and see for myself how it stacks up against the original.

Shrek the Musical is staying at the Marlowe Theatre until Saturday, May 4 and tickets range in price from £16 to £68. At its core, the musical adaptation largely follows the plot of the first film, following all of the same beats from the fairy-tale characters arriving at Shrek’s swamp, the valiant rescuing of Princess Fiona from the Dragon, to the climatic wedding finale - it’s all there.

The production is also very true to the source material’s script, with most of the movie’s iconic lines and jokes still in their place and proving just as funny onstage. Of course the primary distinction, barring the different cast, is the added inclusion of new musical numbers littered throughout that really give the story of Shrek a new layer (see what I did there) that suits it perfectly.

I was truly impressed by how well the musical elements slotted into a story that I already knew like the back of my hand, adding a nice refreshing twist. The songs themselves were incredibly catchy and are sure to get some toes tapping in the audience. I’ve even caught myself humming a few of the tracks since.

For me the standouts were definitely I Know It’s Today and I’m a Believer which were an undeniable highlight of the entire experience. In terms of the cast, theatre pro Antony Lawrence takes on the title role and absolutely smashes it in a performance that honours Mike Myers’ iconic portrayal perfectly.

Joanne Clifton, star of Strictly Come Dancing, gives a stellar performance as Princess Fiona, flexing both her incredible singing talent and comedy chops throughout. James Gillan, known for his performances in Wicked and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, was another standout as Lord Farquaad, bringing the villain to life in truly hilarious fashion.

Rounding out our core cast is Brandon Lee Sears as loveable sidekick Donkey, delivering a laugh a minute performance that will have your belly aching by the end and does true justice to Eddie Murphy’s rendition. Throughout, the extraordinary quality of the production design truly caught my eye, from the expert detailing on the costumes to the elaborate and colourful stage design from scene to scene that really leaves you feeling as though you’ve been transported into the heart of the Dreamworks classic.

Whether you’re looking for the next family trip out, or like me just love the original, I wholeheartedly recommend checking out Shrek the Musical while you can. Full ticket details can be found here .

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