Review: Suffolk Young People’s Theatre production of Shrek The Musical at Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds

It’s been a tough few years for Suffolk Young People’s Theatre (SYPT). When the pandemic hit in 2020, theatres went dark and audiences were slow to return.

But it wasn’t just the audiences who were slow to come back once ‘normal’ life slowly resumed – the young performers who make up SYPT had all but disappeared.

However, things have improved with each passing year and the 2025 production of Shrek The Musical is a stunning return to form for SYPT – with a large cast of youngsters aged 14-24 performing to packed houses at the Theatre Royal, in Bury St Edmunds, this week.

SYPT chair of trustees Ian Shipley was overjoyed to once again see a buzzing theatre ahead of Wednesday’s opening night, and the atmosphere inside the auditorium was noisy and expectant – with the reputation of the long-running company promising something special on stage.

And we were not disappointed. From the tip of Shrek’s green ears to the nose of the smallest tap dancing rat, talent was in abundance as the well-rehearsed youngsters performed with no hint of first night nerves.

Director Erica Dupuy has coaxed some fantastic character performances out of her cast: Shrek (Eliot Bunce) perfectly encapsulated the ‘angry’ yet vulnerable green ogre, displaying impressive vocals alongside an excellent accent; I particularly enjoyed Fiona (Rebecca Rees) with her sweet and sassy princess; Donkey (Theo Turner) was soulful and probably had many of the best lines – and songs – delivered with a generous helping of charisma; while Lord Farquaad (Ryan Smith) merely had to shuffle on stage to reduce the audience to laughter.

Shrek The Musical lends itself to SYPT, providing an abundance of opportunities for each of the young performers to shine, with notable cameos from almost every fairy tale or nursery rhyme you can think of, along with the resident fire breathing dragon.

Mention must go to the outstanding costumes, providing an explosion of colour and detail in almost every scene, while the simple but effective set doubled up as a swamp, a castle… and every other setting in the story.

Stunning vocals were displayed throughout, while the delightful choreography was beautifully performed.

Shrek the Musical is energetic, effervescent, enthusiastic, exuberant and hugely enjoyable – what talented young people we have here in Suffolk.

And if you’re not on your feet dancing by the high-energy finale, there’s something wrong with you.

• Shrek is on stage tonight and tomorrow, with a matinée and evening performance on Saturday. Snap up one of the remaining tickets by calling the box office on 01284 769505 or go to www.theatreroyal.org