EVENTS

Lameroo Regional Community School’s production of “Shrek the Musical” bought the beloved characters from the film to life on stage, delighting audiences over two consecutive nights.

Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, this fairytale adventure follows the tale of Shrek, an unlikely hero who finds himself on a life changing journey alongside a wise cracking donkey. Together, their quest becomes a plight save a feisty princess from a tower, who resists her rescue. Throw in a short-tempered Lord trying to win her affections, a fire breathing dragon and over a dozen other fairytale misfits, you have a story recipe primed for a hero that needs to save the day! Luckily, there is one on hand- he is green, comes in the form of ogre, and his name is Shrek! Featuring songs from Jeanine Terosi and a witty script by David Lindsay-Abaire, this Secondary school production proving that with plenty of heart, humour, teamwork, and even a ‘little magic’, a school stage can rival Broadway charm!

Leading the cast was year 9 Emily as Shrek, who brought depth, humour, and unexpected tenderness to the grumpy green ogre. Her performance of “Who I’d Be” offered a glimpse of the vulnerability beneath the ogre’s rough exterior. Equally impressive was year 10 Chloe as Princess Fiona. She dazzled with her commanding stage presence and vocal versatility, especially in the trio version of “I Know It’s Today” (also featuring Camille and Lianka Yr 8). Chloe’s portrayal of Fiona struck the perfect balance between princess-like charm and fiery independence.

Year 12 Cyle shone as Donkey- from his energetic entrance to his hilarious one-liners, he had the audience in stitches throughout the night, nailing his characterisation. His rendition of “Make a Move” was a crowd favourite, combining humour and heart in a way that left a lasting impression. Year 7 Vienne was also wonderful as the Dragon, showcasing beautiful vocals and working with other cast members to coordinate the clever puppetry elements of her costume.

Special mention must also go to Year 7 Jackson as Lord Farquaad, whose performance—done entirely on his knees to portray the short statured Lord—was a comedic masterclass! He embraced the absurdity of the role, milking every moment for laughs while still delivering crisp musical numbers like “What’s Up Duloc?” with flair. It was a witty and extremely clever portrayal that elicited smiles, long after the final curtain call.

The ensemble cast was also full of energy and brought the world of fairy tale misfits to life, including Three Inflatable Pigs with attitude, a Gingerbread Man held to ransom and a whiney Pinocchio! Highlights included the spirited rendition of “Freak Flag,” where the ensemble’s individuality and unity came together in a show-stopping number that celebrated self-acceptance. The Primary LRCS Dancers also added a fantastic element to the show, bringing scenes to life with their energy, enthusiasm and wonderful costuming.

The show opened with a whimsical set—a storybook backdrop, clever use scenery, and handmade props that set the tone for a fantastical journey. The creative staging used and set transitions immersed the audience into the quirky world of the fairytale woods, the Kingdom of Duloc and beyond. Costumes were another standout, particularly the detailed character designs for Dragon, Gingy, and the Three Little Pigs, which showcased the creativity of the costume crew.

It’s worth noting that this production tackled challenging themes—identity, acceptance, and friendship—with a level of maturity that resonated with both students and adults. Laughter was abundant, but so were moments of genuine learnings, teaching the audience that ‘beauty really is in the eye of the ogre’.

Special mention must not only go to the students, but the hardworking staff at LRCS who had the vision and creativity and put in countless hours into seeing this production come to life. A huge thankyou to Jess Branson and the team, including Kelli Harvey, Brian Marsh, Caroline White and Parrish James for their tireless efforts in facilitating this unique opportunity for our students. Congratulations also to the Senior Production Team that were involved behind the scenes as part of their Community Studies. Altogether, the show was the culmination of 50 lunchtime, 6 afterschool, 20 in class, and 2 full day, intensive holiday rehearsals. To master the production, students learnt 115 pages of lines, 29 songs, 141 sound and lighting cues, had 146 costume changes and the team coordinated 20 set transitions!

Lameroo Regional Community School’s Shrek the Musical was a triumph of student talent, teamwork, and ambition. It reminded everyone in attendance that fairy tales aren’t just for kids—and that great theatre can happen anywhere, especially when it's powered by passion!“Shrek the Musical” was indeed a triumph of the Arts at LRCS, and one that the students involved and audiences will recall fondly for many years to come!