‘Plenty of layers’ to Shrek on Blenheim stage

A modern animated comedy classic comes to the ASB Theatre in late July when the 2025 Combined Colleges Production takes on ‘Shrek: The Musical’.

Director Jeannie Mark says she hopes the appeal across generations for Shrek will draw in plenty of support for the students, while she’s been really encouraged by how the cast have embraced their characters and the comedic chops behind the show.

“It’s very attractive for children and very attractive for adults, because it’s colourful, it’s funny and there’s adult content that probably goes over children’s head too, just as the movie does.

“Comedic shows bring a different element and doing it with the orchestra brings the whole thing to life, but I was especially interested to see how they would react to being fairy tale characters, but they’ve really embraced it.

Jeannie says the complexity of putting on Shrek: The Musical is a great example to show students the skills and cameraderie needed for quick change costumes, sets, lighting, sounds and more.

The cast has Blenheim Musical Theatre regular Lyriks Caldwell as the title character, with an otherwise all-student cast taking to the stage and doing the behind-the-scenes work.

“This year has many more people backstage really kicking in, but that’s good, because I’ve had an abundance of students to help backstage and be involved in the whole process of a stage show”, says Jeannie.

“We’ve got a few that haven’t been on stage before, so I’m dragging them out of their little boxes, and getting them to understand theatre which is the most exciting part for me.

“Doing a scripted comedic show, they’re learning the comedy comes from how they deliver the lines - Shrek particularly has to make the audience laugh and Lyriks is coming along so well with that.”

“If I’m being dead honest, I was watching Shrek just before this to get in the zone”, adds Arthur Pineiro, who plays antagonist Lord Farquaad.

“It’s big shoes to fill, especially a character pretty much everyone here has grown up with and I hope plenty of people come along to support us”, added Lyriks.

Get tickets at https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2025/shrek-the-musical/blenheim