Review: Shrek The Musical, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff

Based on the story and characters from the film Shrek, this production turns the world of fairy-tales upside down in an all-singing, all-dancing, musical comedy.  The unlikely hero, Shrek, is joined by his loyal steed Donkey as they set off on a quest to rescue the beautiful (if slightly temperamental) Princess Fiona from her tower, guarded by a fire breathing love-sick dragon.

The vertically challenged Lord Farquaad leads a gang of fairy-tale misfits, along with a biscuit with attitude, and theres enough  adventure, laughter and romance, guaranteed to delight audiences of all ages!

Delighting the audience every time he was on stage was Samuel Holmes as Lord Farquaad.  With many of the best lines in the show he kept adults and children laughing alike  at different jokes from the same line.  


Shrek runs at the Wales Millennium Centre until Sunday 22nd April 2018Shrek runs at the Wales Millennium Centre until Sunday 22nd April 2018

Shrek runs at the Wales Millennium Centre until Sunday 22nd April 2018

Shrek was played by Michael Carolan with Laura Main as Princess Fiona and it lovely to watch their developing romance during the show.   This was enhanced by the couple when they sang I Think I Got You Beat showing how comfortable they were with each other.

One of the parts I most enjoyed was the references to popular culture, for example, nods to Wicked and Les Misérables were in the songs a What’s up, Duloc? and Freak Flag respectively and Lord Farquaad horse was called Brexit.


Shrek runs at the Wales Millennium Centre  until Sunday 22nd April 2018Shrek runs at the Wales Millennium Centre  until Sunday 22nd April 2018

Shrek runs at the Wales Millennium Centre  until Sunday 22nd April 2018

The set and lighting enhanced the fairy tale look and feel of the musical, but the projections used throughout the show really enhanced the production and helped improve the look throughout the production especially as Princess Fiona transforms.

  • Shrek continues at the Wales Millennium Centre  until Sunday 22nd April 2018.
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