Shrek: The Musical

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Format: Musical
Genre: Comedy
Date: November 26 2015
Location: Liverpool Empire Theatre

The latest big-budget production to hit the Liverpool Empire stage, in this case produced by Dreamworks, Shrek: The Musical tells the story of Shrek (played by Dean Chisnall), a large ogre, a friendly ogre, but one whose visual appearance and intimidating size makes him horrifying to many who encounter him. Having been abandoned at the age of seven, and eventually finding his home in a swamp, one day he was startled to learn that his home had been taken over by a group of fairy-tale characters, including Pinocchio, the Gingerbread Man (who is presented on a board), the Three Bears and the Three Little Pigs, by orders of Lord Farquaad (Gerard Casey). As Shrek makes it a personal mission to meet Farquaad and reclaim his home, along the way he meets Donkey (Idriss Kargbo), who despite his overly-excitable nature and occasional annoying behaviour, becomes a true friend to Shrek, and joins him for the journey.

When they meet Farquaad, though, they are informed that to get back his home, Shrek must complete a separate quest; that being, to rescue Princess Fiona (Bronté Barbé) from being trapped in a castle by a dragon. As Shrek makes his way to the castle, Donkey is held captive by the dragon, and we see Fiona grow up as she wishes to one day be rescued by her Prince Charming. When the moment finally comes, though, her joy at being set free is offset by her dismay from her rescuer being the big ogre that is Shrek. In the meantime, Donkey is saved from the dragon, although there appears to be something of a bond formed which has relevance later in the story.

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Shrek to take 'ogre' Southport Flower Show

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Liverpool Empire Theatre

Beloved ogre Shrek and the beautiful Princess Fiona will ‘swamp’ Southport Flower Show’s opening day on Thursday August 20

Shrek The Musical® plays at the Liverpool Empire from Wednesday November 25–Sunday December 6

The characters of Shrek The Musical® will be making appearances throughout the day as part of the celebrations of the opening of Southport’s annual flower show, ahead of the production’s triumphant return to the North West.

The flower show will feature a specially designed Shrek swamp, by award-winning gardeners, Mook Gardens LTD, giving visitors a chance to meet Shrek and Princess Fiona on their home turf.

Visitors to Southport Flower Show have the delight of exploring Shrek’s garden and his floral swamp house throughout the show (Thursday August 20–Sunday August 23) with the chance of bumping into the star couple on the opening day.

Shrek commented: "I confess a trip to the Southport Flower Show is a first for me, but of course when I heard there was going to be a recreation of my swamp I couldn’t resist. Fiona is really excited and hopes the flower show might inspire me into developing more of a gardening habit. I already have the green fingers so that’s a good start. We couldn’t resist visiting as the tour of Shrek The Musical will arrive in Liverpool in November/December time and has its very last date in February at the Lowry in Salford."

Ray Roukin, general manager at Southport Flower Show, added: "We're really pleased to be welcoming Shrek and his swamp garden to the show this year, it's going to be a unique attraction and should prove a big draw for young and old alike."

Shrek and his garden join a number of family attractions at this year's show, including free-flying birds of prey, dog displays and award-winning clowns Sonny and Rainbow. The show will also be having its first ever Super Kids Sunday which includes a dedicated Children's Marquee on the final day of show, with science workshops and fun, interactive activities.

Entry to the show-ground is free for children under 16, when accompanied by a paying adult, so there have never been more reasons to take the family to Southport.

Southport Flower Show runs from Thursday August 20-Sunday August 23. For more information, visit www.southportflowershow.co.uk or call 01704 547147. Southport Flower Show Tickets cost just £18 in advance, a 20% saving on the gate price.

Shrek The Musical® is coming direct from London, where it was seen live on stage by nearly a million people, and will run at Liverpool Empire Theatre from Wednesday November 25-Sunday December 6, and The Lowry from Wednesday February 2–Sunday February 20 2016.

Based on the Oscar® winning DreamWorks film and featuring all-new songs as well as cult Shrek anthem I’m a Believer, Shrek The Musical® brings the much-loved DreamWorks characters to life, live on stage, in an all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza.

Casting update for Shrek The Musical

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Liverpool Empire Festival

Casting update for the first ever UK & Ireland tour of the hit West End and Broadway production

‘Taking Ogre’ Liverpool this November - Tour directed by Nigel Harmanasting

The monster hit UK and Ireland Tour of Shrek The Musical is delighted to announce full casting as it enters its second triumphant year on the road. Coming direct from London, where it was seen live on stage by nearly a million people, the production has attracted huge audiences and five star reviews. Shrek The Musical will play at the Liverpool Empire from 25th November to 6th December 2015 as part of its tour of the UK and Ireland.

The 2015 company will star Dean Chisnall who will continue his role as beloved swamp-dwelling ogre ‘Shrek’, the role he previously played in the West End. Bronté Barbé will also star as damsel in distress ‘Princess Fiona’, joining continuing cast members Idriss Kargbo as Shrek’s wisecracking sidekick ‘Donkey’ and Gerard Carey as pint-sized villain ‘Lord Farquaad’.

They will be joined by a full company of fairy-tale characters including Laura Baldwin, Nikki Bentley, Jennifer Caldwell, Alexander Day, Candace Furbert, Will Haswell, Keith Henderson, James Lacey, Will Jennings, Iain Mattley, Christina Modestou, Sam Murphy, Amy Oxley, Ryan Reid, Jacqui Sanchez, Jake Small, Oliver Tester, Dawn Williams, Kerry Winter and Kevin Yates.

The UK & Ireland tour of Shrek The Musical is directed by Nigel Harman who starred as Lord Farquaad in the west end production, winning him the 2012 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical. Shrek The Musical opened at the Grand Theatre in Leeds on Wednesday 23rd July 2014 and has since delighted audiences all around the country.

Shrek The Musical, originally directed by Jason Moore and Rob Ashford, is based on the story and characters from William Steig’s book Shrek! and the Academy Award®-winning DreamWorks Animations feature film.

Shrek The Musical opened on Broadway in 2008 before touring to nearly 150 cities in the USA and Canada. Productions of Shrek The Musical have played in Spain, Poland, France, Malaysia, China, Brazil, Italy, Denmark, The Netherlands, Estonia, Israel and Turkey. The UK and Ireland tour is presented by Dreamworks Theatricals, Neal Street Productions, Playful Productions, Lee Menzies, Ron Kastner, Tulchin/Bartner Productions, Saracen Films, Mark Cartwright, Gavin Kalin, Glass Half Full Productions/Just For Laughs Theatricals.