Originally based on the 1990 picture book by William Steig and paying homage to the storybooks and fairytales of our childhoods, Shrek is one of the most loved films from the noughties.  The swamp living, green ogre captured the hearts of children and adults alike by teaching us that you don’t have to be conventionally perfect to have your own happy ending,

The Dreamworks film seemed to be a natural adaption to stage and in 2008, the show premiered on Broadway with the West End following suit and a UK tour.  The second leg of which Shrek’d into the Regent Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent, swamp, fairytale characters and all.

Self confessed green loner, Shrek (Steffan Harris) wakes up one day to find his peaceful pong pile swarming with Pinocchio, The Wicked Witch and the Three Little Pigs after they’ve been kicked out of Duloc by knee high and king-in-waiting, evil Lord Farquaad.  Striking a deal with Farquaad (Samuel Holmes),  Shrek agrees to rescue the  imprisoned Princess Fiona (Amelia Lily) from her tower with the obligatory fire-breathing, lovesick dragon in exchange for his swamp back and the peaceful life that he loves.

Aided by his new found friend and hilarious Donkey (Marcus Ayton), Shrek soon discovers that Farquaad’s chosen bride, Fiona, is  not quite the conventional Disney princess she seems.   Will evil Lord Farquaad finally bag his Princess or will Shrek find happiness outside of his swamp?

Shrek is brought to life wonderfully by set and costume designer Tim Hatley who creates a cartoon-esque world of contrast between the colourful Duloc and that of Shrek and Fiona’s world of soft browns and greens.   Combining conventional set staging with fancy video screens and puppets gives the show an extra dimension.  For me, the talented work of the puppeteers during “Forever” was a particular highlight of the show and was reminiscent of War Horse.

The show really packs in the music  (David Lindsay-Abaire and Jeanine Tesori) including I Know It’s Today, Who I’d Be and Shrek and Fiona’s hilarious bodily noises (kids love a burp and a fart off, after all).  Love the theatre?  There’s also clever little nods to West End hits within the show including Wicked, Dreamgirls and even tap-dancing sensation that is 42nd Street.

If you love Shrek, have kids or you can tag along to a show with your friends and their kids (like I did), don your green ears and check out the show.   

A growing nose from the (not so) real boy Pinocchio, a dramatic stop-the-wedding moment and many a laugh brought by Samuel Holmes spending the majority of the show on his knees as Farquaad (not as dodgy as that one sounds) means you’re guaranteed an evening of laughter, belting songs and the message that everyone, no matter how green, is worthy of love.

Shrek the Musical runs until Saturday 12th May and tickets are available via the box office or online.