THEATRE REVIEW: Shrek The Musical, Rochdale Musical Theatre Company

SHREK THE MUSICAL,ROCHDALE MUSICAL THEATRE COMPANY, MAY 2025, CHAMPNESS HALL

There are few better sounds than children giggling. Champness Hall was filled with laughter, from children and adults alike, on 14th May for Rochdale Musical Theatre Company’s (RMTC) production of Shrek the Musical. Hot on the heels of last year’s successful show, Beauty and the Beast, RMTC chose another family favourite and judging by the audience reaction, this proved to be the perfect choice!

On entering the auditorium at Champness Hall, it was clear to see the huge amount of work the stage crew (a group of dedicated volunteers, under the guidance of Jamie Jackson and Steven Brady) put into transforming this historic hall, into a spectacular theatre for nine performances. A double set of screens framed the front of the stage, and a huge screen at the back, set the scene perfectly for each location in the story, including the swamp, the forest, the dragon’s lair and Duloc Castle. Aaron Smith’s lighting effects and screen images were spectacular and helped to quicken the pace, with rapid scene changes adding to the sense of magic, danger and comedy throughout the show.

Gareth Baddeley was superb as the unlikely hero, Shrek. Baddeley perfectly captured the green ogre’s mannerisms and movements, including a grumpy stomp, to show his exasperation and frustration at having to share his beloved swamp. Baddeley brilliantly showed both, the fierce, and vulnerable side of Shrek. The song, Who I’d Be, was a fabulous and moving end to Act 1; Baddeley’s voice did this emotional number justice, showing the audience that Shrek has the potential to be much more than the stereotypical swamp-dwelling monster found in traditional fairy tales. Baddeley’s Shrek was wholly believable as he journeyed from underestimated, unloved, solitary, scary ogre to an endearing, fun, brave, friend and hero.

Princesses, in fairy tales of old, are often helpless damsels in need of rescuing; they fall in love at first sight with a dashing prince and live happily ever after. Shrek the Musical (and the 2001, Oscar-winning DreamWorks film, on which it is based) turns fairy tale conventions upside down.

Princess Fiona (Alison Baines) is a sassy, feisty, assertive princess, trying to stick to the fairy tale expectations, but soon finds out that she is in a whole different story. Fiona’s rescuer, Shrek, is clearly confused when this bossy princess insists he goes "on bended knee" at first sight. Baines was hilarious in Morning Person, as she tries to charm the woodland creatures with disastrous results.

One of the many highlights of the show were the tap dancing rats. Nikki Cooke's excellent choreography was beautifully performed by Baines and the talented dancers. Baines’s powerful singing voice was a great match with Baddeley’s, particularly in, I Think I Got You Beat. Baines and Baddeley, both gifted actors, entertained as they airguitared, burped and passed wind loudly to the delight of the younger members of the audience, showing that this couple have far more in common than they realise…

Every dashing knight needs a noble steed and in Shrek the Musical this comes in the form of unforgettable, garrulous, Donkey. Zac McIntyre was fabulous, bringing energy, fun, comedy and a superb vocal range to this role. Don’t Let Me Go, showed McIntyre’s vocal (and comic) skills as he persuades Shrek to let him accompany him on the quest.

A very warm-looking furry costume (during a hot spell) did not deter McIntyre from giving this performance his all, with great poses, including hilariously impersonating a piñata, McIntyre maintained his American accent throughout and thoroughly delighted the audience with his comical facial expressions as Shrek’s excitable friend.

Ryan Brown was outstanding as the cruel, perfectionobsessed, Lord Farquaad. Brown was hilarious in this role and needs to be commended for the physicality involved in dancing and performing the whole show on his knees. He made this look effortless and yet cleverly played upon the effort for comical effect. Brown’s speaking and singing voice was crystal clear. What’s Up Duloc? was a fabulous number as Brown kept pace with the Clockwork Chorus and showed his dancing was also top notch.

Story of My Life introduced the colourful fairy tale characters, ably played by the company. This group number was superbly choreographed and performed with each individual keeping true to their character. Each harmony sounded incredible and the power and the confidence of the company when singing together signified great musical direction, by Chris Addington. Freak Flag was glorious, uplifting and a wonderful celebration of difference and individuality. Philippa Jepsen, Wardrobe Manager, worked wonders with bright, imaginative costumes.

The enormous dragon puppet, choreographed by Jenya Robinson, brought the wow factor to this production, with glittery moving wings, a giant tail and light-up eyes, RMTC certainly pulled out all the stops. To top this, the voice of the dragon was breathtaking - Rhiannon Thompson’s beautiful, soulful voice was beyond brilliant.

RMTC are certainly inspiring the next generation of performers. Anya Rose Bailey and Jessica Travers played Young Fiona on alternate nights.

On the night I watched, Bailey gave a confident, engaging performance, as did Molly Slack as Teen Fiona (alternate nights by Ashleigh Smith). The harmonies, during the tower scene, between Young Fiona, Teen Fiona and adult Princess Fiona were stunning.

Overall, this show was worthy of 5 stars, Director Seb Lassandro, should be enormously proud. Every single person on stage and behind the scenes deserves credit for this spectacular production, including students from Hopwood Hall College and UCEN Manchester who did a fantastic job with the extensive make up and prosthetics.

RMTC have certainly achieved their aim of 'bringing quality, affordable live theatre to the people of Rochdale', I heard audience members say they would have to pay £60 or more a ticket to watch a show of this quality in Manchester. RMTC have made live theatre accessible to local families. It was wonderful to see young and old up and dancing during the finale to 'I'm a Believer' showing that we all appreciate a little bit of musical theatre magic!

Shrek uses the metaphor of an onion to describe himself in this show, explaining he has layers beneath his gruff exterior. Rochdale does not always receive the best headlines in the national press, however, peel beneath the surface and you find hard working people with hearts of gold, huge talent and more than a little sparkle!

Musical Theatre is alive and kicking in Rochdale and arts and creativity are thriving. Rochdale deservedly has the title of Greater Manchester's Town of Culture for 2025-26.

Reviewer: E.W.

Photos: Martin Ogden