As NSTA representatives, we had the pleasure of attending the final performance of Shrewsbury International School Bangkok Riverside’s production ofShrek the Musical on Wednesday 4th March 2026. Directed with skill by Sarah Mangan, with musical direction by Matthew Tait, and vocal direction by Mary Ungrangsee, this production was delivered with confidence and clarity. Few stories celebrate individuality and acceptance with as much heart and humour as Shrek the Musical, and the talented pupils of Shrewsbury Bangkok Riverside brought this beloved tale to life with energy, warmth, and tremendous theatrical flair. It was clear this was a production that had captured the imagination of the school community.
The atmosphere in the theatre was electric, with an eager buzz filling the space long before the curtain rose. Flowers lining the theatre doors were a wonderful sight, reflecting the admiration and appreciation that the Shrewsbury community holds for the performing arts and the pupils who bring them to life on stage. The stage design immediately transported the audience into Shrek’s fantastical world. A beautifully painted watercolour-style swamp backdrop set the tone perfectly, while clever staging and thoughtful mechanics ensured the story flowed seamlessly from one scene to the next. Transitions were quick and fluid, often enhanced by inventive technical solutions such as the impressive rope-operated bridge that spanned the stage in a moment, keeping the story moving with delightful momentum. As the lights dimmed, the pit band began the show with a vibrant overture. Throughout the performance, the band added depth and vitality to every number, playing a central role in the lively atmosphere of the production.
The show opened with Fin’s commanding entrance as Shrek, kicking the door open with the confident bravado that defines the character’s opening number, “Big Bright Beautiful World”. He delivered a performance brimming with charisma and commitment. Navigating the physical limitations of Shrek’s elaborate costume with remarkable ease, Fin embodied the character fully, matching the enlarged physicality of the role with expressive movement and natural presence. His vocals carried a refreshing authenticity that perfectly suited the character, while his ability to communicate subtle emotion, even beneath Shrek’s iconic helmet, added impressive depth to his performance.
Opposite him, Joy’s portrayal of Fiona was simply captivating. She delivered a nuanced and heartfelt performance, demonstrating remarkable versatility as both an actor and singer. Her ability to communicate emotion through stillness and body language was striking, and her vocals were consistently powerful and crystal clear throughout the evening. Her performance of “I Know It’s Today” was particularly moving, beautifully charting Fiona’s emotional journey from hopeful innocence to determined resilience, with the harmonies between the three Fionas creating a magical moment of musical storytelling. The chemistry between Fin and Joy was one of the production’s greatest strengths. Their shared scenes sparkled with playful timing and genuine connection, bringing the evolving relationship between Shrek and Fiona vividly to life.
Aira’s performance as Donkey was another standout of the evening. Possessing a beautiful, soulful voice, she captured the character’s emotional depth while delivering Donkey’s trademark humour with impeccable comic timing. Her playful shifts in physicality and vocal cadence enhanced every joke, drawing delighted laughter from the audience time and time again. Particularly impressive was her ability to maintain vocal strength and clarity even while performing energetic acrobatics and stage tricks, including whilst riding piggyback on Shrek’s back while continuing to sing with confidence and precision.
The production was also rich with memorable supporting performances. Adriana brought tremendous vocal power to the role of Dragon, delivering one of the evening’s most impressive vocal moments in the song “Forever”. Her soulful delivery beautifully captured the musical’s homage to classic powerhouse vocal styles. Equally entertaining was Pip’s portrayal of the wonderfully villainous Lord Farquaad. His entrance immediately established the character through brilliant physical comedy, with the visual contrast between his short stature and the towering figures around him creating instant laughter. Pip’s energetic performance captured Farquaad’s ruthless yet comically self-important personality, and his playful interactions with the audience added another layer of humour to the show.
The ensemble was another strength. The Fairytale Creatures contributed enormously to the production’s success, each performer bringing unique personality and charm to their roles. Pax’s portrayal of Pinocchio was particularly delightful, with a charming “doll-like” voice that perfectly reflected the character’s youthful innocence while maintaining clear and expressive singing. Spencer’s Gingy also had the audience laughing with wonderfully exaggerated expressions and playful moments that broke the fourth wall. In “Story of My Life” the wide array of fairytale characters each reacted to their plight in distinct ways, adding delightful layers of storytelling that enriched the narrative without ever overshadowing the central plot.
The Duloc ensemble also proved to be a firm audience favourite. Their wonderfully precise, doll-like movement and comedic choreography drew waves of laughter from the crowd. Among them, Ivy’s bright energy and lively dancing caught our attention instantly, creating a moment of shared delight as we both noticed her engaging performance at the same time.
Choreography brought playful creativity to the production, balancing humour, character movement, and ensemble precision. The energetic number “Freak Flag” burst with colour and enthusiasm. The ensemble delivered strong vocal harmonies and dynamic choreography, creating an infectious sense of celebration. Rin’s performance as Tweedle Dee stood out for her exuberant reactions and joyful stage presence, with her enthusiasm radiating all the way to the back of the auditorium.
Other highlights came from several clever technical touches that delighted the audience, including a wonderfully unexpected exploding bird during Act Two’s opening number “Morning Person”, a striking silhouette effect revealing Fiona’s ogre transformation, and the impressive quick-change during the wedding scene that transformed Fiona’s appearance in just moments.
As the final curtain fell, the sense of celebration in the theatre was unmistakable. The audience’s laughter and applause throughout the evening reflected how deeply the performance resonated with everyone present. Productions like this entertain, inspire, and give young performers the opportunity to share their creativity with their community. Shrek the Musical at Shrewsbury Riverside Bangkok was a joyful reminder that when pupils are given the opportunity to shine, the results can be truly magical.
