Shrek the Musical at the Alhambra Theatre Bradford
Shrek the Musical
Alhambra Theatre, Bradford
9-27 September 2015
Reviewed by Jennifer Barnsley
Shrek is a great production for all ages and all the family, with something for everyone. This is the first musical I have seen that doesn’t just involve human characters (whether they be real or not), and I was a little sceptical of how well they’d pull off the ‘ogres’ and dragon, but I really needn’t have been. It didn’t disappoint!
Starting with the theatre itself, there is some renovation work going on outside the theatre at the moment so it’s not the usual wow factor, however it is a beautiful building and access to all doors is still possible.
The website explains well ‘how to get here’ by many modes of transport. We drove and easily found one of the car parks we were told about, just a 5 minute walk from the theatre. The website also explains that the two nearest NCP car parks have an agreement with the theatre and you can get 4 hours of parking for a set fee (currently £3.80). You just have to present your car park ticket at either kiosk on the ground floor.
There are toilets on the ground floor in addition to the other floors.
Picking up our tickets was simple with the helpful and pleasant staff, a smile on everyone’s face made them very approachable.
On the mezzanine floor is bar 1914 (the year the Alhambra was built), there is also wheelchair access to this bar and the stalls from a side door. The bar is a good size to allow plenty of people to be served quickly. In addition to a good selection of drinks there are cakes and scones on offer plus slushies for the kids. There is an alternative bar on the circle floor. You can pre-order drinks for the interval, there are forms out on the bar for you to fill in and save yourself time should you wish.
At the interval there was a VIP corner offering drinks and nibbles for ‘friends of Bradford theatres’ which is a membership programme with lots of perks and early ticket releases if you wish to know more please see the link www.bradford-theatres.co.uk/get-involved/friends-of-bradford-theatres.
A countdown on speaker allows you to get to your seat promptly both before and at the interval.
We were seated in the stalls row N, which had a perfectly good view of the stage. The seats are comfortable with padding that isn’t worn down. The show started promptly and the theatre appeared full.
I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed Shrek, I preferred the second half to the first, just a personal preference.
The stage props and scenery were very impressive, as were the costumes. They’ve done a brilliant job making the ogres believable. There were many scenery changes, which I really liked.
After the introductions meeting the main characters, there is a mass reception with all the fairytale characters, Three bears, Peter Pan, three pigs just to name a few. An example of the great costumes is Pinocchio, his skin looks just like wood, and his nose even grows.
In another scene you meet the gingerbread man which is remarkably life like, with the blinking and mouth movements, I actually thought he was a projection until he lifted his arm and head up. This is also the scene where we meet Lord Farquaad, he was by far my favourite character and had us in stitches. The actor is on his knees with prop legs to depict his short stature, and his movement across the stage was really impressive in particular, his exercise routine. Hilarious.
There is the usual dancing with some additional tap dancing rats. Humour for the kids with a burping and flatulence competition, and plenty to keep the grown up’s amused, particularly from Farquaad.
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost from £19.50 to £45.50 (booking fees may apply).
Shrek the Musical is at the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford until 27 September 2015. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 01274 432000.
The Alhambra Theatre, Morley Street, Bradford, BD7 1AJ | Box Office 01274 432000
