"Shrek - The Musical" by Carlton Operatic Society.

Nottingham Theatre Royal.

It seems like years ago that Carlton Operatic announced that they were to perform "Shrek" as their next musical venture; hold on, it was years ago, but it's now finally here and well worth the wait, I can tell you.

Shrek is a green ogre who lives in a swamp just outside the kingdom of Duloc. He finds out that the kingdom is becoming corrupt and that Lord Farquaad has plans to become the next King, but he needs to marry a Princess to be able to do this. Shrek makes a deal with Lord Farquaad to save the swamp but he has to first do something for Farquaad. Along with his loyal steed Donkey, Shrek sets off on a quest to rescue the beautiful Princess Fiona from her tower, guarded by a fire-breathing, love-sick dragon. Add a gang of fairy-tale misfits, and a biscuit with attitude and you’ve got an irresistible mix of adventure, laughter and romance!

And not forgetting a brilliant fun soundtrack as well. "Freak Flag", "Make A Move", "Big, Bright Beautiful World", "Story Of My Life", "I Know It's Today", "Who I'd Be", "When Words Fail" and of course the final belter "I'm A Believer".

Playing Shrek is Chris Wilson, in his first role within Carlton Operatic. I've been lucky as I've had the pleasure in seeing Chris in many productions over the years, so I know what an incredible actor he is, and playing Shrek would be a big enough task for any actor, never mind an incredible actor. The Scottish accent is perfect and unwavering, even when in song, and his timing, where certain sound effects are used, is spot on. It's been a few years since I last heard Chris singing on stage, and his vocals are as strong as I ever remembered them to be.

Mark Coffey-Bainbridge plays Shrek's sidekick, Donkey. Another actor I've known for a few years and one who always looks very at ease on stage. This role is no different. Forget Eddie Murphy because this portrayal of Donkey is super-cool, sealed by the 70's soul pastiche song "Make A Move" with backing vocals by The Three Blind Mice (Bethany Wear, Emily Hope-Wilkins and Rebecca Wilson). Donkey won the hearts of many of the youngsters in the audience tonight, with one exclaiming that she loved Donkey, well I think it was a youngster anyway.

The pairing of Chris and Mark sealed the success of this show, even though the whole cast could not have been assembled better or performed as a group more perfectly. A tribute to the complete professionalism of the actors involved with Carlton Operatic.

Charlotte E Barrington plays Princess Fiona beautifully. Her blend of comedy, despair at never finding her one true love and that voice she owns is just wonderful to experience. And she also manages to pull some wonderful faces into the bargain.

Playing the young Princess Fiona were Isabelle Griffin and Emily Holder who blended well in the three way "I Know It's Today".

One role that is sure to bring an actor, quite literally to their knees, is that of Lord Farquaad and this part is played by Graham Ward. You really can believe that this character is only tiny because of that wonderful set of costumes he has to wear, as well as the talent for acting and moving convincingly on your knees. I also expect that singing while in the kneeling position requires extra vocal requirements, which Graham certainly pulled off.

Laura Ellis is playing Gingy, the opinionated Ginger Biscuit. This requires, not only puppetry but also a certain vocal technique, which I won't spoil by telling you; go and see what I mean.

Ella Greenwood is playing the Dragon, well the voice of the dragon, and what a voice. Ella could be mistaken for any professional singer around today with the power, tone and control of her voice. The hairs on my arm stood to applaud her mid song. I could listen to that voice all night.

The Dragon herself was engineered by Daniella Anderson, Cliff Hart, Georgia Hodgett-Young and Amy Rogers-Gee. When you think that these four only had since Sunday to master this puppetry for the Dragon, you appreciate how hard they worked as a quartet.

Playing Pinocchio is Carlton Operatic first timer Bara Erhayiem. In fact, this is his first time performing on a stage and singing in front of people EVER!! Now I thought that this fact had been included because he was playing Pinocchio, you know the one whose nose grew when he told a lie, but NO! I checked out the facts afterwards and this really is his debut anywhere! To look that at ease on stage, perform, dance and sing on a stage like the Nottingham Theatre Royal, and look as comfortable as his fellow actors, would raise doubts from anyone who gets to view many productions. It seems that Bara is made for the stage and I, for one, can't wait to see what he does next.

This really is a massive production and I can't really mention every actor in the programme, because there are absolutely loads. What I can say is that I've seen professional productions of "Shrek" that I have enjoyed and they stand aside this production, such is the professionalism of Carlton Operatic's presentation.

The sound tonight was perfectly pitched, not too loud and not too low, perfect. I could hear every word of the singers over the wonderful quality and sound balance of the fifteen-piece orchestra, under the Musical Director, Christopher Rees.

Amanda Hall directed the show, assisted by Cassie Hall, and let's face it, just knowing that Amanda has her name anywhere on a show of this size means that you are guaranteed quality and class, which is what you get with "Shrek".

There is such a lot of choreography in a show this size so Abby Wells had her lot cut out for her, but once again she rose to the challenge and pulled it off with the utmost aplomb! Loved the tap dancing rats.

The Lighting is magical in creating atmosphere and the lighting magician is Tom Mowatt. Need I say more? Perfection!

Rob Kettridge is the man behind the sound design, and is another name that you recognise to be one of the top in his class, so seeing Rob's name on the programme also guaranteed excellent sound results. I was not disappointed.

The set, which was the standard of any professional touring production was provided by Scenic Projects.

The make-up and wigs were incredible, with the prosthetics supplied externally by a theatrical supplier by the name of Becdoesshrek.

The costumes were, as you would imagine, given all of these various characters in the story just amazing. There was one costume for one of the guards that could have had Lord Farquaad's eye out if he had been a bit closer. I know that that particular part of the costume is called a "cod-piece" but there was something rather fishy about the size of it!

As I said earlier, this production would stand side by side with any professional production touring the theatres, and that is down to every single cast member and every single member of the production team. It is a massive show and deserves to be sold out every night it is on this week.

I really wish I could give a name check to absolutely everyone involved, but anyone who knows me, know that I have a massive respect for everyone behind the scenes on shows, big or small, and that everyone plays a part in the success of a show, no matter what role on or off stage. Carlton Operatic Society have been around for over 100 years now and that is because of the people involved, and their group is as strong as it has ever been, and this show proves that strength.

If you can only afford to see one musical this month, make it "Shrek".

Carlton Operatic are fundraising throughout this production for Footprints Conductive Education Centre, whcih empower families with disabled children.

"Shrek The Musical" is at the Nottingham Theatre Royal until Saturday 7 April.

Photos courtesy of Martin Holtom and Cassie Hall.