Spot On Productions 
The Point, Eastleigh 
Jade Morrell 
14 May 2025
It’s always a thrill when a community theatre company tackles a big Broadway/West End musical, and Spot On Productions’ staging of Shrek The Musical at The Point, Eastleigh delivers with flair, heart, and a whole lot of green. This vibrant, high-energy production is a joyous celebration of individuality, acceptance and swamp-sized charm, told through song, laughter and an ensemble that clearly loves every moment on stage.
From the moment the curtain rises, the audience is transported into the whimsical world of Duloc and beyond, with a production design that punches well above its amateur brand. With vibrant costumes, puppetry, particularly a larger-than-life dragon, Spot On Productions has crafted a visually rich playground for this fairytale to unfold. But it’s the performances that truly elevate this production. Rory Blincow as Shrek is both gruff and tender, bringing a deeply human vulnerability to the famously bad-tempered ogre. I think nerves might have preoccupied early on but those soon settled, and Rory pulled through his quieter, more emotional moments, particularly in his rendition of ‘Who I’d Be’… that gave all the tingles.
Kenny Adegbola steals nearly every scene he’s in as Donkey, bounding across the stage with boundless energy and a twinkle in his eye. He navigates the fine line between tribute and originality, delivering a performance that is both familiar and entirely his own. His chemistry with Rory is the glue that holds much of the show’s emotional arc together. Meanwhile, Eliza O’Reilly as Fiona is a force to be reckoned with. She brings sass and warmth to the role, capturing Fiona’s contradictions perfectly: poised yet playful, traditional yet utterly modern. Her solo number ‘I Know It’s Today’, particularly the layered version sung by the young Fiona, Maggie Basinger and Chloe Osman as teen Fiona, is a standout, showcasing clever direction and vocal control.
Lord Farquaad (Adam Rush) made my cheeks ache with laughter! From his first entrance, he plays up to the audience in a camp and pantomime-esque portrayal that I just adore. Adam spends the majority of the show on his knees which is a feat in itself, but to dance and sing on one’s knees also is excellent commitment. The way Adam adjusts his own body to showcase the movement of Lord Farquaad’s minute stature is hilarious, complete with lifts, leaps and even dismounting a plastic horse. Absolutely hilarious.
The ensemble cast, portraying a colourful assortment of banished fairytale creatures, is full of character and commitment. Their performance of ‘Freak Flag’ is a brilliant moment, capturing the heart of the musical’s message about embracing what makes us different.
Musically, the production is strong across the board. The orchestra, tucked away but never overshadowed, delivers Jeanine Tesori’s eclectic score with polish and punch. Numbers like ‘Big Bright Beautiful World’ and ‘Make A Move’ hit all the right emotional and comedic beats, and the show-ending rendition of ‘I’m A Believer’ ensured the entire theatre left on a high. It’s always a bonus to see a full orchestra pit – something that is becoming increasingly rare to see. The choreography by Spot On newcomer Lucy Creighton was adapted wisely to suit the capabilities of the space and cast, and it was executed with confidence and personality. It would be really difficult to mention everyone as I’m sure the finale included nearly all 50 cast members!
In a time when polished perfection often dominates, there’s something refreshingly authentic about a production that wears its heart (and in this case, its ears and snout) on its sleeve. Spot On Productions’ Shrek The Musical isn’t just a fairytale come to life – it’s a shining example of what can be achieved when community, creativity, and courage collide.
Don’t miss your chance to see this swampy spectacle before the curtain falls. Running until Saturday 17 May, but id snap up those tickets while you can!
