Stage: Shrek The Musical – Milkwood Theatre, Danville Park Girls’ School, Durban North
(until May 4)
REVIEW BY BILLY SUTER
HARD to believe 10 years have hurtled by since Durban’s KickstArt theatre company staged the South African premiere production of Shrek the Musical, winning seven Durban Theatre Awards before touring the show to Johannesburg, where it collected 10 Naledi Award nominations, winning two.
The star of that local and touring production was, and continues to be, one of Durban’s most versatile and popular performers, Lyle Buxton – and it is good to see him enjoying revisiting the title role in this new version of the musical based on the hit, 2001 animated movie about the titular green ogre.
Booked in at the impressive new, 290-seater Milkwood Theatre in Virginia until May 4, this new production of Shrek the Musical is presented by the Young Performers’ Project. It marks Buxton’s first link with this wonderful Durban initiative which, for 24 years, has seen theatre professionals guide local school pupils, and at least one professional performer, in an annual musical, the aim being to tap and foster local youth talent.
In 2024, the project presented two musicals – Dream On: A Poppins Tale of Joseph, staged mid-year, and the South African premiere of Elf the Musical, seen over the festive season. Following Shrek the Musical, the project will stage a production of Annie in July, at Durban’s Playhouse.
The team’s Shrek the Musical is a slightly condensed version of the show and cuts some songs from the original – I most missed Shrek’s rousing Who I’d Be. It is also on a much tighter budget than, and nowhere near the scale of, the KickstArt success of yesteryear. However, with all that said, this remains a lively, charming, thoroughly delicious production with a lot of heart.
It’s the tale of a green and grumpy but loveable ogre that finds adventure and, ultimately love, after annoying, banished fairytale characters invade his swamp and steer him on a quest to rescue a captive princess. En route, Shrek crosses paths with a flamboyant dragon, a conniving and pint-sized landlord, a colourful talking donkey, singing blind mice and many other colourful characters.
The production is directed with a light touch by Lisa Bobbert, who also designed the simple but effective sets which, along with props, were created by Kathy and Dominic Singery. Kathy also created the many costumes for the production, which has a cast of 35 performers.
Very well choreographed by Evashnee Pillay, the show boasts some delightful performances – not least from an exciting new find in attractive and confident Chloe Marot. A Grade 10 pupil from St Mary’s DSG, she has a lovely singing voice and, if sometimes just a little too over the top, constantly sparkles as a spunky Princess Fiona.
Buxton, not unexpectedly, is on top form throughout, while talented young students of Durban’s International School of Performing Arts (ISPA) are also among standouts – notably James Armstrong as an animated Donkey and Damien Butt as a pint-sized, effete Lord Farquaad.
In the words of the show’s production manager and musical director, Des Govender, Shrek the Musical reminds us to look beyond the surface and celebrate our unique qualities. It is a cleverly scripted show, with catchy songs and fun lyrics – listen for quick references to Defying Gravity from Wicked and Rose’s Turn from Gypsy – and deserves to do well.
The musical, which runs until May 4, marks the first non-school, outsider-hire production to use the new theatre. Booking is via WebTickets.
Scheduled performances are as follows:
Sun, 27 April: 2pm
Tues, 29 April: 2pm
Wed, 30 April: 7pm
Thurs, 1 May: 2pm
Fri, 2 May: 7pm
Sat, 3 May: 2pm and 7pm
Sun, 4 May: 2pm
.....SoSuterBill..... 