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Shrek The Musical – how Laura Main from Call the Midwife fares as Princess Fiona

November 28, 2018 Hanne Comments are off 2018, Shrek

The theatre show with a big heart and a big green ogre is one for kids to enjoy but also for the kid in every theatre-goer

SHREK THE MUSICAL AT SUNDERLAND EMPIRE

Shrek The Musical, Sunderland Empire, until February 11

You know the story and have probably seen the 2001 DreamWorks Animation movie so many times that the catchphrases have become a part of ordinary speech.

But you may (like me) have not shared your love with Shrek The Musical before and I am pleased to report that this stage version is a stand-alone success.

Shrek The Musical is a top-class touring production of a show originally produced on Broadway, and subsequently in London’s West End, by Dreamworks Theatricals.

Lyrics are clever yet simple and one memorable line from Who I’d Be has Shrek wishing to be a poet: “The moon would help with spelling, and the night would dot the ‘I’s.”

Musical numbers come thick and fast, 20 in total, but sadly there are no Lion King-calibre songs to hum on the way back.

Visually and technically, the production is flashily impressive – the set and costumes by Tim Hatley are amazing and I particularly enjoyed the use of puppets. The overly-friendly dragon with its four puppeteers is a great achievement and its movements wonderfully believable.

The entire dragon scene with its Monty Python-esque captured knights dancing in the stocks with their sequined jazz hands is very funny, and the humour throughout is maverick rather than cheesy.

On stage it’s officially a four-hander: Shrek (Steffan Harri) nails the Scottish accent given to Shrek by Mike Myers; Donkey (Marcus Ayton) has the best quips and Lord Farquaad (Samuel Holmes) is more Bertie Wooster than Ming the Merciless.

But the show stealer is Laura Main as Princess Fiona, who has appeared in all six series of BBC’s Call the Midwife.

She plays the tormented ogre-princess with verve and gusto and her tap dancing rats number, Morning Person, is a joy.

Besides the music, this production includes most of the important lines from the film – the onion, the Muffin Man, the short man gags – and so on.

And the show ends, as the film does, with The Monkees’ I’m a Believer. So I guess the only thing aficionados will miss is The Proclaimers’ I’m On My Way – which I hummed on the journey home.

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/theatre-news/shrek-musical-how-laura-main-14240429

Theatre Review: ‘Shrek The Musical’ (UK Tour)

June 04, 2018 Hanne Comments are off 2018, Shrek

Shrek the Musical theatre review: A swamp-sational show based on the much-loved film.

Shrek the Musical theatre review by Katey Thompson.

Shrek the Musical is based on the well know film of Shrek, which was originally a book written by William Steig. The show brilliantly recreates many scenes from film as well as creating some new exuberant ones for this fabulous show. The humor throughout the production is laugh out-loud and at times I thought it might veer towards a pantomimesque but it creates its own special fairy tale which was greatly enjoyed by my children and I.

The story is based on Shrek, played by Adam Baker, an excellent ogre with a terrifying roar. Shrek becomes upset when a rag tag band of fairy tale characters turn up at his swap. With the aid of his noble steed – Donkey, who was funny and brilliantly portrayed by Marcus Ayton, they go to meet with Lord Farquaad. The hilarity and skill that Will Hawksworth brings to this show as Lord Farquaad is fantastic. He is really enjoyable to watch as the facial expressions and deft leg work are amazing especially in the ‘Welcome to Duloc’.

Shrek agrees to go and rescue the lovely feisty Princess Fiona (Laura Main) for the return of his swamp. En route Shrek and Donkey have to defeat the Dragon. This has to be the best dragon I have seen on stage. She was truly stunning and the fluidity of the puppeteers movements made it seem as if the dragon was truly flying. My children were a little wary of the dragon scene in the film but found it really enjoyable and could not wait to see the dragon again on stage.

The humor was the good natured and the overarching theme was one about caring. The shows moral; that it doesn’t matter how you look, it’s whats inside you that is important, is still as relevant as ever.

The show was brilliantly funny creating lots of laugh out-loud moments throughout. It is a show suitable for anyone from 5 to 105 and ideal for the whole family to have a great evening’s entertainment, don’t miss it!

Shrek is running at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking until 10th June 2018.

Theatre Review: ‘Shrek The Musical’ (UK Tour)

Call The Midwife star Laura Main reveals her weekend plans

April 23, 2018 Hanne Comments are off 2018, Call The Midwife, Interview, Shrek

LAURA has played Sister Bernadette – who later became known as Shelagh Turner – since BBC1 drama Call The Midwife first hit our screens in 2012.

By CHRISTINE SMITH

PUBLISHED: 00:01, Sat, Apr 21, 2018

Laura Main

Sister Bernadette actress Laura Main tells us about her usual weekend

She is currently touring the country in Shrek The Musical as Princess Fiona. The 37-year-old Scottish actress lives in London.

“If I’m not working, all I want to do on Friday night is return home and flop on the sofa with a glass of wine! I love chilling out in front of the telly and I will often put on Graham Norton’s show.

“I wish I was a good cook, but most of my weekend pleasures involve eating out or getting a takeaway! I’m vegetarian and my favourite thing to do on a Friday is to order an Indian takeaway.

“On Saturday morning, I rise for breakfast and I’ll either tuck into poached eggs with avocado on toast or a bowl of porridge. I’m a big coffee fiend, too, so there’s always a cafetière on the go. Then I’ll go to a yoga class.

“I ran the London Marathon last year and the training for it made me realise how beneficial it is to exercise regularly. I don’t miss the pounding of the streets and yoga is a great way for me to switch off from work.”

Laura is currently busy starring in Shrek The Musical as it tours the UK

I’m not a creature of habit and enjoy doing different things

“After my class, I do a few chores like shopping and often get something on the go to eat for lunch. Then it’s back for a shower and I normally spend the afternoon learning lines if I’m filming.

“More often than not, I’m out on a Saturday night for a friend’s birthday or get-together. If I’m not, I will go to the theatre. It’s not only great entertainment but it’s also inspiring.

“Sunday is a good day to catch up on sleep after a busy week. I love having a lie-in and I will go for a lovely walk or go out on my bike once I’m up. There are so many different areas in London and I love finding new places to visit. I’m not a creature of habit and enjoy doing different things.

“I love a vegetarian roast for dinner and, as I’m up early on Monday for work, I won’t have any wine. I’m a bit of a faffer so it takes me a while to wind down and get ready for bed! I’ll have a relaxing bath then eventually, when I’m ready, it’s time for a good night’s sleep before another busy week filming.”

https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/life/948775/call-the-midwife-cast-sister-bernadette-actress-laura-main

Laura is taking a break on Shrek UK The Musical and filming season 8 of CTM!

April 16, 2018 Hanne Comments are off 2018, Call The Midwife, Shrek

Today I said goodbye to this lovely bunch after 5 amazing months on @ShrekUKTour (although I'm back in 6 weeks!) as I start @CallTheMidwife1 series 8 tomorrow!! Feel so very lucky to get to work on two brilliant shows this year! pic.twitter.com/TwPU0CkF5k

— Laura Main (@LauraMain1) April 15, 2018

Shrek the Musical: Review

March 12, 2018 Hanne Comments are off Shrek

On the 16th of February I saw Shrek the Musical at the New Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham. Whilst I was initially drawn to see the show due to Laura Main being cast as Princess Fiona, I was blown away by the whole production.
Shrek the Musical is a fun, uplifting musical, with an underlying message of hope and happiness. It’s a musical that has something for everyone. From rather crude humour that children find hilarious, to more subtle, witty remarks for the adults. It follows the plot of the first film quite closely, and so it’s something that children and adults alike can not only easily follow, but enjoy. With singing and dancing throughout, and a rendition of ‘I’m a Believer’ at the end that the whole theatre sings along to, it makes for an upbeat, entertaining evening.
For me, the highlight of the production was the brilliant soundtrack. Each character gets a great solo, with ‘What’s Up Duloc?’ and ‘I Know It’s Today’ being notable mentions for me. The whole cast have a great range of vocals, with ‘Freak Flag’ being a particularly strong song in terms of enabling the whole ensemble to really showcase this. Several of the songs include nods to other musicals, that add to the enjoyment and excitement of them.
In terms of performance, the whole cast were brilliant. Steffan Harri (Shrek) and Marcus Ayton’s (Donkey) ability to perform so well with the incredible costumes they wore was so impressive. But it was Samuel Holmes’ (Lord Farquaad) dancing on his knees and the sheer over the top nature of his performance that was truly amusing and a highlight of the show.
But the star, in my slightly biased opinion, was Laura Main (Princess Fiona), whose acting was not only brilliant, but she also sang several beautiful solos. Her performance of Morning Person was a particular highlight. Not only was her singing magnificent in it, but her tap dancing was a welcome surprise. Her return to musical theatre has been, in my opinion, a triumph.
Overall, it was a thoroughly enjoyable show. I would highly recommend it to adults and children alike, not just those that are fans of the original film. It makes for a truly magical evening at the theatre.

The UK Tour of Shrek the Musical is running until January 2019. You can check out venues and book tickets here: https://shrekthemusical.co.uk/buy-tickets
Please note, Laura is sharing the role of Princess Fiona with Amelia Lily, so she can fulfil her filming commitments for Call the Midwife. She is subsequently only appearing at selected venues. These are: Northampton, Sheffield, Cardiff (she is not appearing from the 17th-22nd however), Woking, Liverpool, Milton Keynes, Plymouth, Southampton, and Leeds.

– Beth (@LauraMainly)

Q&A WITH SHREK AND CALL THE MIDWIFE STAR LAURA MAIN

March 05, 2018 Hanne Comments are off 2018, Shrek

We are delighted to have Shrek playing at HMT until Sunday 11 March 2018. We are equally as happy to have Laura Main playing the female lead as Princess Fiona. Laura is a proud Aberdeen lass who kindly took some time out to answer some questions for us.

Tell us about the show and your role in Shrek.

Shrek the Musical follows the story of the first film with a wonderful score, original songs and big dance numbers that the whole family will love. It’s about Shrek, an ogre, who goes on a quest to rescue Princess Fiona who has been locked in a dragon‐guarded tower – and that’s the part which I play. She has read all the fairytale books and is waiting for her handsome prince to rescue her to live happily ever after but she is hiding a secret is not your average fairyland princess. It’s about not judging a book by its cover, about being true to yourself and celebrating yours and others’ uniqueness. It is a fairytale, but not as you’ve previously known them!

Were you a fan of the original films? Has this influenced your take on playing Princess Fiona?

I distinctly remember seeing the first film when it came out and being bowled over and in awe of this alternative fairytale that turns the traditional on its head and actually has a much better moral as a result. And to have a princess who is so much more than your average pretty and passive princess is so refreshing and important for young children to see. I make sure that I bring out the many different sides to her and don’t just play at her being the “pretty” princess. She’s feisty, fiery and funny.

What are the main differences between being a part of a musical tour and being part of a TV show like Call the Midwife?

Theatre is always lovely because you work closely together and become like a family in a way that you often don’t in television. But I am lucky in that Call the Midwife feels like a family too because we’ve worked together for so many years.

As an Aberdeen quine can you tell us how it feels playing back in the city?

It’s honestly a dream come true. I love coming home to Aberdeen and seeing my family as much as possible but to combine that with a job feels really special and exciting ‐ and a little nerve wracking but I hope I can just really enjoy the two weeks of shows at home and seeing lots of friends and family.

Name one thing that you have missed and are looking forward to doing when you are back in Aberdeen?

Spending time with family, seeing my Mum and Dad, sisters and nephews and niece and, if time allows, getting out to the countryside for a wee climb of a hill is always a nice antidote to London life.

How old were you when you first performed on stage?
I think I was about 10 when I started to dance. I went to Miss Berry’s School of Dance, now Danscentre, and discovered I enjoyed performing in musicals with all the aspects of singing, dancing, and acting.

What is your earliest memory of HMT as a performer?

I can still picture auditioning for the Wizard of Oz, the first professional show I auditioned for, in the stalls bar and some of the dance we had to do, and then finding out in results later that day in the foyer! Plus, I can vividly picture standing backstage during a professional production of The Sound of Music and realising that people did this for a living and that I’d really love to too!

What is your earliest memory of HMT as an audience member?

Seeing a Student Show had a big effect of me, I was about 11 and I turned to my mum and told her I wanted to go to Aberdeen University so that I could be in that! I did end up going there before drama school in London and was very proud that I got to take on the iconic ‘Doric Quine’ role!

What is the most memorable show or shows you have seen in Aberdeen?

Cats, Blood Brothers and Chess I think I saw all more than once!

If you could play any part, in any show in any theatre what would it be?

Well, I’m getting to tick off a musical at His Majesty’s! But if I dare to have other dreams in the future, it would be a West End or Broadway play or musical. I’ve visited New York twice and it has such a buzz about it, it would be great to experience that with a show and live there for a little bit. But it is very hard to plan in this career and very important to enjoy the moment you are in, and the adventures that you get to go on.

What is your biggest personal achievement to date?

I think professionally it has to be this year, working on both Call the Midwife and Shrek the Musical. It’s lovely to be busy doing what I love, but it’s not always like this, so I never take it for granted. And personally, running the London Marathon for Sentebale, a charity I am an ambassador for was something I never thought I’d do, but am so glad I took on that challenge.

What is the one piece of advice you would pass on for anyone looking to pursue a career in the theatre?

Get as much experience as possible! If you are doing it for the love rather than for fame then that’s a very easy piece of advice to follow. Every show I did growing up, whether amateur or professional has helped, no matter what the size of the audience is. Having a space like the Arts Centre was wonderful and I did many shows there with my dancing school, amateur groups, youth theatre and later a university group. But the main thing really is that I enjoyed it.
Thanks Laura for taking the time to chat with us, and please have a look at the charity, Sentebale that Laura mentioned.

http://www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/news/blog/performances/q-a-with-shrek-and-call-the-midwife-star-laura-main

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Posted on Friday 02 March