Must Watch! Shrek: The Musical coming to Bloomsbury Theatre

Pictured above: Producer, director, cast of Shrek and Donkey from UCL’s Shrek: The Musical

If you’ve ever wanted to see Shrek live on stage — armed with tap-dancing ensembles, a pint-sized villain, and a slightly homoerotic Shrek and Donkey relationship (or Shronkey, as the cast so eloquently puts it) — then you’re in luck! UCL’s Musical Theatre Society has taken on Shrek: The Musical, bringing it to the Bloomsbury Theatre from November 28th to 30th at 7:30 pm each night, and it’s exactly as bonkers as you’d hope.

Directed by the unbelievably talented Tom Hughes, this production feels less like watching actors play fairy-tale characters and more like eavesdropping on a group of incredibly funny, slightly sleep-deprived friends. Or maybe that was a rehearsal special I had the privilege of experiencing. Either way, the camaraderie is real.

Here are the juiciest details to convince you it’s worth your time.

Shrek, our unconventional hero, is so very conventionally attractive. (Although I can’t promise the same once he’s green and portly, sorry folks!) He also has unreal pipes, with a singing voice that belongs on the West End.

Donkey, the ultimate sidekick, steals every scene with his epic comedic delivery and contagious energy. The cast has clearly embraced the unhinged absurdity that Shrek demands, and every rehearsal moment made it clear that these performers know exactly how to balance fairy-tale chaos with surprisingly heartfelt, albeit oddly sultry, moments.

Lord Farquaad, one of the true highlights, is gender-swapped and outrageously fabulous, performing entirely on her knees for the whopping 150-minute runtime. Watching her try to appear intimidating while wobbling around at about 3 feet tall? Priceless.

A note for fellow broke students (the struggle is real): while tickets are £12 for regular admissions, students get them at just £10 each. And considering that over 68% of tickets have already been snapped up, you’ll want to grab yours soon — this show is in high demand, and it’s easy to see why.

Personally, one of the best parts of watching the rehearsal was writing “Shrek is the real star” in my notes… then going back and changing it to Donkey… and then Lord Farquaad. It’s impossible to pinpoint who is going to steal the show because every single cast member is just so. darn. good. The result is a performance that feels truly collaborative and alive, full of friendly jabs and infectious energy.

So whether you’re a die-hard fan of the Shrek franchise, a lover of musicals, or just someone who appreciates a dancing ogre and some laughs, UCL’s Shrek: The Musical is sure to be a slightly offbeat fairy-tale adventure you won’t want to miss. Get ready for two and a half hours of laughter, nostalgia, and maybe even a tear or two. And remember, sometimes the real fairy tale isn’t a storybook romance; it’s a room full of incredibly funny, slightly chaotic cast and crew members coming together to make something truly magical.