A prickly green ogre with a heart of gold stomps into the UAE this weekend.
Shrek will take the stage in the capital and Dubai in a Broadway play based on the award-winning DreamWorks film franchise, which irreverently subverted traditional fairy tales in its story about an ogre who reluctantly goes on a quest to rescue a princess and ends up falling in love with her – only to find out she’s a lot like him.
Boasting a fresh score packed with 19 songs, Shrek – The Musical is backed by a young cast, led by American theatre actor Kyle Timson.
Timson, who has played lead characters in productions of Sweeney Todd, The Wedding Singer and The Fiddler on the Roof,talks about the pros and cons of getting into character – from sweating it out in a big, padded bodysuit to tottering about in four-inch platform shoes.
What was the audition process for the role?
I went to an audition in New York City where they asked me to learn some stuff from the show and come back a few times. Each time I had to do it for different people involved in the show until finally they decided I was fit for the role.
How many countries have you toured so far?
The UAE will be my third country. We opened in Istanbul and are currently in Doha before heading to Abu Dhabi.
What was the challenge in portraying an ogre?
The costume and make-up are very intense for my character. Shrek is so iconic from the movie that we try our best to make him look like he hopped right off the screen onto the stage. It gets hot inside the suit during the show but it’s nothing a little Gatorade can’t fix.
So how long does it take to get into character?
The make-up takes about an hour and involves prosthetics, face paint and a lot of fancy products that make me really look like Shrek. The costume is pretty simple. I wear a big, padded fatsuit to fill out my body and make me look ogre-size. Then I put on a big shirt, pants and vest over it that look just like what he wears in the movie. Finally, I step into boots that have four-inch platforms lifts in them to make me look taller. All this takes about two hours.
How do you explain Shrek’s endearing appeal?
Shrek has a message that everyone needs to be themselves. No matter how weird you are or what you look like, there is someone out there who will love you for you. Everyone can have a happy ending.
How is the vibe behind the scenes before each show?
Rehearsals are funny because everyone is in their street clothes but talking like the character they are portraying, whether Donkey or Shrek. It made saying some of the lines feel very silly.
What can the UAE audience expect from this adaptation?
I look forward to making the audience happy. We want to make them laugh and cry and have an incredible two hours of escape in this wonderful world.
• Shrek – The Musical is at du Forum on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi from tomorrow until Saturday; and at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre from March 30 to April 3. Tickets cost from Dh200 at www.tixbox.com
aahmed@thenational.ae
