Shrek the Musical: Keeping a monster show on the road

Staging the box-office busting musical Shrek is a huge logistical challenge, writes Jo Kerrigan

EVERYBODY knows and loves Shrek, the unlikely hero with his loyal steed Donkey. Born in a book written and illustrated by William Steig back in 1990, this tale of a young ogre who leaves home to seek love and fortune has become in turn a bestselling story, an award-winning animation film, and finally an all-singing all-dancing stage musical.

“Any time that you have great characters on a journey, it can make a great musical,” says original director Rob Ashford. Co-director of the Broadway hit, Jason Moore, agrees. “It also makes a good musical because it makes you laugh, makes you feel something and makes you want the characters to win.”