Get ready to let your freak flag fly! This winter, dive headfirst into the hilariously heartfelt world of Shrek the Musical—where fairy tales are fractured, onions have layers, and true love isn’t afraid of a little ogre funk.
📍 Venue: Community Centre, Gravel Hill, Chalfont St Peter, SL9 9QX
📅 Dates: 4th – 7th December 2025
Join Shrek, Donkey, Fiona, and a chorus of delightfully dysfunctional fairytale misfits as they sing, dance, and burp their way through a dazzling story of friendship, love, and self-acceptance. Featuring a fire-breathing dragon, toe-tapping numbers like “I’m a Believer”, and all the fart jokes your heart can handle—this is one show that’ll have audiences grinning from ear to pointed ear.
Big laughs. Big heart. Big green guy.
Don’t miss the musical that proves everyone deserves a happily ever after—even if they need a bit of swamp magic to get there.
Review by Noda
Society: St Peter Players
Production: Shrek the Musical
Date: 6 December 2025
Report By: Judith Watsham
Firstly, please accept my apologies for the delay in completing my report on your Autumn production, which, incidentally, I thoroughly enjoyed. You all performed very well and your Saturday night audience certainly really loved the show. Thank you for inviting me and for your hospitality. Once again, seating was at tables which, in my opinion, is an excellent way to see shows, plus if gives me somewhere to put my notebook and drink! I know that you alternate pantomimes with children’s shows at this time of year and your 2025 production was, I have to say, exceptionally good.
I did have the opportunity for a brief chat with your very busy Director, Ruth Corner, who was also heavily involved in so many other successful aspects, such as costumes, set design, props and choreography and I gathered that, although it had been very hard work, she was very pleased with the result and audiences earlier in the week had really enjoyed the show – as, indeed, did Saturday night’s appreciative crowd.
MD Adrian Sutcliffe and his small band were excellent, accompanying the many musical numbers but never overwhelming them.
The team of choreographers had devised many successful scenes all of which worked very well.
Lighting in the capable hands of Les Brewer was always excellent and effects well timed.
Matt Smith on sound told me that he had really enjoyed working on Shrek and that it had played to very good, not to mention appreciative, houses – always encouraging!
The scenic design worked very well and Tina Barclay, Ruth Corner and the team of set builders produced an excellent and evocative set – the few changes were operated smoothly by SM Andrew Barker and his team. I liked the fact that the proscenium arch was swagged as were the DSR and DSL entrances adorned as they were with the Shrek logo. Good use of draw cloths incidentally.
The costumes were all amazing – but then audiences have come to expect that this element will always be excellent, coming under the aegis of Liz Peskin and Ruth once again. The dragon’s headdress was absolutely superb but all the fairytale characters were so instantly recognisable. What a lot of hard work!
Make up is vital in Shrek, especially for all the fairy tale characters, not to mention Shrek himself with his green face – Finn Toomey and Willow Churchhouse take a bow!
Jason Congerton’s programme was colourful and informative with some excellent photographs from Paul Upward. Do enter it into the NODA Programme Awards won’t you?
The dragon mask was absolutely superb. Did you make it yourselves? If so, who was responsible for it – just so impressive!
All the props in the very capable hands of Ruth and her team were excellent and just right for the situation/scene but I know that attention to detail is one of your hallmarks and contributes greatly to the authenticity and success of your productions.
Now, finally, to the very hardworking, not to mention universally excellent, cast!
The ensemble was mostly dressed as fairy tale characters, all instantly recognisable too, and you all took on anything between one and six other small roles. Everyone always moved and acted in the appropriate character as dictated by your costumes! I couldn’t fault any of you.
One, Thomas Evans as Pinocchio, gave us the inevitable ‘elf ‘n’ saf’ty information in an appropriately squeaky voice – and continued in character. Well played Thomas.
Aaron Griffiths played the title role. Your performance was well thought out and your powerful voice, complete with your Scottish accent, worked well both in dialogue and in the musical numbers. Excellent facial expressions too. Singing always excellent, especially in the love song.
Shrek’s sidekick, Donkey, was portrayed by Lucy Shirley. A lovely accent with great use of face and body language underlined every word. A superb characterisation Lucy. All your moves were well thought out too and you displayed an excellent sense of comedic timing
Princess Fiona was seen first as a young child, then a teenager, then an adult. All three roles seamlessly played by Zoe Glover, Anna Sillcocks and Leanne Dalton respectively. Leanne you sang beautifully and really made the role your own. You put over your anxiety as night approached very well too.
Jason Congerton took on the role of Lord Farquaad. You gave us a very diminutive baddie – ‘walking’ on your knees must have been tiring! You sang well and in character.
Liz Glover had a couple of small roles but it was as the Dragon that you really shone Liz as we, in the audience, could appreciate your excellent singing voice. Good threateningr moves too.
A lovely evening and a great show for the run up to Christmas
I wish you well with your 2026 productions and may I take this opportunity of wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and New Year.
Judith
Judith Watsham
Regional Representative NODA London District 11 and 11A
Posted On: 17 July 2025