Shrek Review, November 2022 - It's All An Act

First Impressions are everything right? Well, the set and scenery for this show was amazing and it gave off the best first impression and did not disappoint throughout the whole show, with the amount of scene changes this show had it was a wonder where the managed to fit it all in. Well done to the stage crew!

The show began and worked us in gently with the opening number Big Bright Beautiful World which was well performed and well sung between Mama Ogre (Laura Burrell), Papa Ogre (Adrien Nortier), Queen Lillian (Jade Williams), King Harold (Martin Boniface-Jones) the voices were well matched and made a great sound.

On came the main man himself, Shrek (Reece Fitzgerald) and I must say that I was pleasantly surprised with everything this character threw at us from the accent, to the singing, the way he held himself, all the way to how he was making us feel towards him, it was a joy to watch, I couldn’t take my eyes off of him. (Not just because of his large green stature).

Then on came the ensemble and OH MY GOODNESS! They looked incredible in their costumes, well done to Molly Limpets and the wardrobe team because everyone looked amazing. The characterization of everyone was obviously well explained and explored because there were little gestures and nuances from the cast that did not go unnoticed. The song Story of My Life which is started by Pinocchio (James Young) was like it was a voice match, I closed my eyes at one point, and it sounded so much like the professional soundtrack, well done.

We then go on to meet the comedy value of the show Donkey (Richard Bond) who was as close to the real thing as you can get in his wonderfully thought-out costume, however the face makeup was questionable. His performance was everything you expected it to be, cool, annoying (for Shrek) and funny, I take my hat off to him because he couldn’t use his hands the whole show, this did not stop his expression, however.

Going on through the story and through the wonderful scene changes by cast and crew we arrive in Duloc, greeted by the Duloc Dolls, who despite the minor wardrobe malfunctions due to the clunky costumes they were amazing to watch and very much in sync with each other, I did feel that a bit more of the “face” joke within the welcoming song to Duloc could have been played more on but that is a personal preference as that bit is so well known within the film, I just felt the pause was a little brief that is all. Anyway on we go to meeting Lard Farquaad (Ben Kennedy) who had a great voice for the role, both within the acting and singing, I felt it had a bit of a Rik Mayall vibe to it which I loved as this developed the character even further. One thing I must say is that I felt the illusion was lost a little bit due to the costume not being quite right on the thigh area as not enough was covered and felt this spoiled a ‘little’ bit. He did not come up ‘short’ when it came to his performance.

When in the presence of royalty, one must congratulate one on one’s performance, Princess Fiona (Louise Travis) sang her way into the audiences hearts and made them laugh it all the way out again, a very comedic actress and the facial expressions anyone would die for. How you did the quick change at the end was incredible and looked very well-rehearsed I must say, because you know what they say “It’s not easy being green”.

Now I must talk about the Dragon, which was just before the end of act 1, IT WAS MASSIVE! It really was astounding, however, there were a few things that I think could have been improved. I could see that it took many people to operate this contraption, and this did spoil the illusion a little, the dragon sings a song and the mouth was not able to move in time with the lyrics, I’m not sure if this was because of the size? How it was operated? Or due to lack of time spent with the dragon on stage as I would assume that this was not used in the rehearsal room (I could be wrong) but I think I would have enjoyed it just as much if there was someone in a “Dragon type” costume perform the song. The Dragon voice (Laura Newborough) was awesome and I thoroughly enjoyed the vocals, just a shame the visuals weren’t to match.

A few honorable mentions are the skeletons which must have found it no small task to perform with their faces fully covered. One thing was I felt was a little off putting within the show was the stuffing and stitching within Thelonius (Adrien Nortier) trousers, an interesting choice and didn’t feel this was appropriate for a family friendly show, an interesting directorial decision made there. The three blind mice were awesome and this song was well rehearsed and I was also very surprised to see a tap number featured in the show which was lovely and very cleverly done with use of the curtains. All the children (Isla Clarke, Sophia Newborough and Ayla Tipp) within the production that I saw (as it was a split child cast) were great and looked like they were thoroughly enjoying within this production and were very well rehearsed, well done.

Well done to all involved in this production, it was well staged, well sung, well lit, well performed and sounded great. This was a very professional looking production, thoroughly enjoyed the evening and had to rest my cheeks (face ones) from laughing all of the way through.

Jaz Wilson
It’s All An Act

Shrek Review, November 2022 - One Show at a Time

All-singing, all-dancing fun and escapism!

Following their peek into the rehearsal room, BATS’ production is up and running full steam ahead in Basingstoke’s Haymarket Theatre until the 19th November. I was fortunate to be invited to their finished show to see how it fares up to the rehearsal, and it was a colourful energetic performance that brought a huge smile to my face – and many others from gauging the audience around me! Lots of glitter, lots of green, and a set and costumes that look like they’ve come straight from the west end, BATS’ production of Shrek The Musical may not be a west end musical, but is still guaranteed to give you a great night out.

As mentioned in the rehearsal post, a lot of the show was still in the works – there were no costumes, set, or puppets. So seeing all these pieces come together and fill in the gaps makes the show as special as it is. The dragon puppet is fantastic in its own right and under Sally Manning’s direction, once the cast have all donned their costumes, they’re the perfect finishing touches for their wonderful performances from the moment anyone sets foot on the stage. Where else can you see Snow White and a fairy shimmying together?

Leading the cast is Reece Fitzgerald, Louise Travis, Richard Bond and Ben Kennedy as Shrek, Fiona, Donkey & Lord Farquad respectively. They all work splendidly together, bouncing off each other and nailing the comedic timing and bringing real emotion to the more tender scenes. Bond and Kennedy as Donkey and Lord Farquad have wonderful stage presence and easily get the audience on side with their wheeze-worthy humour and having perfected the iconic characters’ mannerisms, making it hard not to love them. Even in scenes where they’re not the main focus of attention, they’re highly entertaining to watch as they react to the scenes unfolding.

Having said this, the show is also very much one which showcases and celebrates the ensemble as much as the named leads. With the ensemble becoming many different characters across one performance, there is no confusion or grey area – they are all fantastic at clearly separating one role from the next, but bringing equal amounts of energy, personality and character to every role they take on in the show.

A special mention also goes out to the younger members of the company – Olivia Kingham, Sophia Newborough, Isla Clarke, Amelia Ellis-Cosgrove, Theodore Hartgill and Ayla Tipp. These young performers split the roles of young and middle Fiona and young Shrek. Though they’re younger than their peers, they all appear completely at ease on stage and comfortable in their roles as if this is something they do on a daily basis, instantly winning the hearts of the audience.

The choreography, courtesy of Luannsa Goodman and Sally Manning is slick and praiseworthy; tap dancing mice, dance breaks galore and high-energy ensemble numbers showing off what everyone can do. With the number of songs the ensemble are all in and the number of dance breaks, it’s remarkable how well they keep their stamina and maintain their energy. In fact, the company as a whole deserve the utmost praise for keeping their enthusiasm and energy sustained from the moment the curtain rises to the moment it comes down again.

BATS’ hard work was already paying off in the rehearsal room and now with the set, costumes and the finessed details all put together, the finished piece is a wonder to watch – a finished show everyone in the company both on and off stage should be proud of for what they’ve put together. Surrounded by an audience of children and adults, it is clear this show has something for everyone; as I was sat watching the show, there were children open-mouthed in awe and adults cackling with joy. Shrek The Musical is an explosion of colour and fun-filled joy; it is the perfect night out for some guaranteed all-singing, all-dancing fun and escapism. Shrek The Musical is the perfect excuse to forget your worries, take a trip to Duloc and let them entertain you so you’re guaranteed to leave with a smile. on your face and a spring in your step.

BATS’ production of Shrek The Musical runs until 19th of November, and word has. tickets are selling thick and fast, so I wouldn’t delay treating yourself, your friends, family – maybe even your pet dragon – to a night out at the theatre.

Leyla Demirel
One Show at a Time

BATS cast of Shrek meet special guests at charity show

The cast of Shrek entertained families at a special charity performance at The Haymarket. BATS secured funding from corporate sponsors Lavazza Professional and The MPC Ltd along with Hampshire County Council to offer tickets free of charge to local charities and community organisations to give them a night to remember.

Some of the cast, including Shrek and Donkey, held a special meet-and-greet for invited guests before the show which is being performed at The Haymarket until November 19.

Photos: Sarah Gaunt, Basingstoke Gazette

Children were given goody bags put together by sponsors The MPC Ltd – a marketing production company from Basingstoke – which included specially designed Shrek water bottles, sweets and snacks.

Claire Hooper and her family were given tickets through Naomi House Hospice.

Claire’s nine-year-old son Olly is one of just 150 children worldwide to suffer from the rare H-ABC, and he receives respite at Naomi House.

Mum-of-three Claire, from Andover, said: “It’s nice to have this family time. We have to think of Olly’s wheelchair and here they have really thought about how to accommodate us which makes it easier. Olly loves all the bright lights and music and we don’t normally have the chance to do something like this.”

Michaela Riley, founder of Basingstoke charity Spotlight said: “It is absolutely amazing. We have got 270 tickets for the show and we have families coming from across the area, as well as military families. It’s amazing, they will leave with a smile on their faces. We are very lucky to have been given this opportunity.”

Mayor of Basingstoke Cllr Paul Miller was also at the event, and said: “This is a unique occasion, a charity show that over 100 families will benefit from. Families that would not normally have the opportunity to experience a night out like this. Shrek is a wonderful show and we all had a wonderful time.”

Emma Marsh, who owns The MPC Ltd with her husband Paul, said she was delighted to sponsor the charity performance, and said: “We support lots of different charities and we know one of the cast members of Shrek and he approached us and asked if we wanted to get involved.”

Ian Moseley, chairman of BATS, said: “With household budgets tightening we were very conscious that a theatre trip is fast becoming a luxury that not all can afford. Therefore, with support of sponsors, we were able to fully fund this extra performance.

“Working with charities, including Spotlight UK and Naomi House, tickets have been allocated to local children and their families who would not normally be able to afford to enjoy a live theatre performance.”

BATS President, Richard Bond as Donkey

He gave a “special thanks” to BATS’ president Richard Bond “for all his efforts in making this invitation happen”.

Families filled the theatre to watch the uplifting musical following unlikely green hero Shrek, who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking Donkey and the feisty Princess Fiona.

Based on the Oscar-winning Dreamworks Animation film, Shrek the Musical is a Tony Award-winning fairytale adventure that brings all the beloved characters from the film to life on stage.

Led by an all-female team of Sally Manning as director and co-choreographer, Julie Dance as musical director and Luannsa Goodman as choreographer, the show features a cast of more than 30 talented adults and children, who will put on 10 performances until November 19.

Emily Roberts

Shrek Review, November 2022 - Basingstoke Gazette

We all know and love the friendly green ogre Shrek from the film Oscar-winning Dreamworks Animation film. Now, BATS has brought the loveable character to life with its big-budget £75,000 production, set to delight families this week at The Haymarket.

The tale of the unlikely hero Shrek, played by Reece Fitzgerald, follows him on his life-changing journey alongside the wisecracking Donkey and feisty Princess Fiona.

The show was a joy to watch, with colourful costumes, an impressive set, superb singing, hilarious characters, expertly choreographed dancing and a few jaw-dropping surprises.

It is always amazing to see how incredible BATS’ productions are, and Shrek did not disappoint.

Ian Moseley, chairman of BATS, said the show is its biggest budget production in history and this is clear to see from the constantly changing sets including a castle, forest and church to the incredible life-sized smoke-breathing dragon.

However, while this was all impressive, it is the talented all-singing all-dancing cast that made this show yet another triumph for BATS.

There were laughs a plenty for both kids and adults – the burping and farting were guaranteed to have the younger members of the audience in hysterics.

Characters including the short-tempered bad guy Lord Farquaad, played by Ben Kennedy, and Donkey, played by Richard Bond, will have even the most serious in the audience cracking a smile.

Credit must of course be given to the talented Reece Fitzgerald for singing and acting so well with a full green ogre face mask on.

While special mention must go to the incredibly talented younger members of the cast, including Theodore Hartgill (younger Shrek), Amelia Ellis-Cosgrove (young Fiona) and Olivia Kingham (teenage Fiona) who showed real star quality in their performances, and will no doubt have a bright future ahead on the stage.

Louise Travis played a superb Princess Fiona whose character is a far cry from a traditional fairytale princess. She is not afraid to embrace her individuality and flaws and the story is as much about her journey as it is about Shrek’s.

The uplifting performance was a joy to watch throughout and ended on a high with a full cast rendition of I’m A Believer, which had everyone clapping along in celebration.

Emily Roberts

Sister Act Review, May 2022 - NODA

Scenery/Set/Properties: The main backdrop (a large, of stained-glass arches) was most impressive and of the highest quality. There were a variety of scenes inside the Convent (refectory, dormitory, Mother Superior’s office and Confessional) and on the outside, the night club, police station and the street. Some sets were made up using basic properties enabling quick changes to keep the action moving and the props, when necessary, were well used by the cast. There was good attention to detail including a walking stick that lit up which was in keeping with the upbeat nature of one of the songs.

The programme was colour, glossy and of superior quality. There was a message from the Chairman, photos of the cast, some rehearsal photos and details of future productions and auditions. It contained all the necessary information about the show and there was also some information about the group and how to get involved.

Costume/Hair/Make Up: The costumes were brilliant, smart, in keeping with the characters and displayed great attention to detail. Deloris’ ‘fur’ coat, the nun’s habits with ever changing front pieces, pyjamas, Monsignor’s vestments, costumes for night club patrons and people in the street, and even the Pope’s vestments were all authentic. Eddie’s on-stage change from police to ‘Vegas Elvis’ white jump suit and back to police uniform was magnificent and well executed. Most of the cast’s hair was hidden under their nuns’ headdresses but the 70s wigs for Joey, TJ and Pablo were just right.

Lighting, sound and special effects: An excellent use of lighting beautifully brought the stained-glass arches to life during scenes inside the chapel, while effective use of multi-coloured lighting and a glitter ball created the lively nightclub atmosphere. The cast sounded terrific. Sally Manning as Mother Superior was outstanding. She was grounded, note perfect and sang with self-possessed authority. Kirsty Kingham had irresistible energy bringing great gusto to the role, (if perhaps just a little over-amplified in the opening number) In complete contrast, Rhianon Mone’s solo ‘The Life I never Led’ was beautifully sung with innocence and dignity.

The production: This feel-good show was a triumph from start to finish. It was energetic, hilarious and joyful. The show was filled with great moments and the cast shone. The direction and choreography by Louise Travis was excellent, creative and filled with humour; the cast being in synch with the music and each other. The laughter was particularly evident when Joey, TJ and Pablo sang and engaged with the audience; particularly one lady! Luannsa Goodman was cheeky and charming as the exuberant Sister Mary Patrick. Deloris’ journey takes her from selfishness to responsibility and sisterhood and Kirsty Kingham took the audience with her.

This was a well-crafted show with huge talent both on and off the stage. There was a great deal of comedy and a theme of genuine affection and friendship. All in all, a fantastic evening that enabled the audience to leave the theatre with beaming smiles.

Chris Horton
District 14 Regional Representative
National Operatic and Dramatic Society (NODA)