Penglais School in Aberystwyth has seen its stage transformed into a fairy-tale swamp this week as students presented a spectacular production of Shrek the Musical. The ambitious show, which featured two distinct casts, earned high praise from attendees for its professional-level execution and high energy.
Directors Barrie Stott and Nel Rhys Evans joined forces with Musical Director Rachel Rhys to guide the large team of cast and crew through the challenging production. The creative leaders were lauded for their ability to pull out all the stops to bring the complex DreamWorks story to life on the school stage.
Tobenno Okoro took on the sizeable title role of Shrek for both casts, delivering a delightful performance that anchored the entire show. Reviewers highlighted his ability to handle the significant stage time and physical requirements of the character with ease and charm.
The role of Princess Fiona was shared by Eowyn Vaughan and Danielle Kelly-Honey, both of whom brought unique strengths to the part. Vaughan was noted for her fabulously free portrayal and radiant sense of humour, while Kelly-Honey was praised for balancing the character’s grit with a touching vulnerability.
The production cleverly utilised six different actresses to portray the princess at various stages of her life. Young Fiona was played by Emilia Sherbon and Lexie Rees, while Florence Everard-Walker and Elizabeth Owen took on the roles of the teenage Fiona.
One of the musical’s highlights was the performance of the song "I Know It's Today," which featured the various Fionas singing and acting together. The Act 1 finale, "Who I’d Be," also provided a standout moment, with the combined voices of the Fionas, Donkeys, and Shreks giving the audience goosebumps.
The character of Donkey was brought to life by Leo Price and Favour Anjola, both of whom relished the fast-paced chatter and infectious enthusiasm of the role. Their comedic timing provided a perfect foil to the more stoic Shrek throughout the journey.
Owen Jac Roberts delivered a scene-stealing performance as the "perfectly pompous and suitably smarmy" Lord Farquaad. Roberts notably performed the entire role on his knees to maintain the character's signature diminutive height, a feat that drew significant acclaim.
The villainous dragon was portrayed with stunning vocal power by Ellie Benjamin and Mared Pugh. Their delivery of the song "Forever" was described as "blowing the audience away" with its professional sound and delivery.
Supporting roles also shone, with Jack Foale and Marz Williams appearing as a wonderful Pinocchio. Phoebe Glover added to the comedy as the Sugar Plum Fairy, while Molly Bakewell captivated the crowd in the dual roles of Gingy and the Fairy Godmother.
The musical score was performed by a live band conducted by Rachel Rhys, ensuring the production had the full atmospheric impact of a West End show. The seamless collaboration between the musicians and the young actors contributed to the overall success of the evenings.
As the curtain fell on the final performance, the local community celebrated the hard work and dedication of every student involved. The production serves as a testament to the thriving performing arts culture at Penglais School and sets a high bar for future school productions.
