Newark Amateur Operatic Society ready to celebrate 90th Anniversary with Shrek the Musical
The town’s thespians are getting ready for their first show of the year which promises to be ‘Shrek-tastic’.
Newark Amateur Operatic Society are celebrating their 90th Anniversary in 2025, and their first offering this year is the fun family favourite, ‘Shrek the Musical’.
The show is based on the popular Shrek film series and includes lots of well-known fairy tale creatures including Peter Pan, a Wicked Witch, Pinocchio, and Humpty Dumpty to name but a few.
There are some great numbers including the toe tapping ‘I’m a Believer’.
Chairman Rita Crowe said: “Following the success of Evita last year, we wanted to follow it up with something completely different. We spoke to our members and they were keen to put Shrek on stage at The Palace.
“It is a huge production with over a hundred costumes, prosthetics, dance routines, and a fun storyline. The production team, cast and crew are working hard to put on a great family fun production to celebrate our 90th anniversary.”
The cast includes both familiar and new faces. The title role of Shrek will be performed by Will Dewick, who most recently played Gaston in ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and Che in ‘Evita’. He will be supported by Jade Mulligan, playing her first leading role as Princess Fiona.
Jade has regularly performed for the society in the ensemble and supporting roles, most notably as ‘Alice Beineke’ in ‘The Addams Family’.
Shrek’s unwanted comical sidekick, Donkey, is played by Ollie Kirkwood. This will be Ollie’s fourth year with the society having previously played Lumiere in ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and Lucas Beineke in ‘The Addams Family’.
Kate Taylor will be returning to play Pinocchio, with Ben Towle also returning to the society to portray Lord Farquaad having last performed in Priscilla the Queen of the Desert.
New to the society is Keira Dormer-Hazell as the dragon, and Aston Fisher as the Captain of the Guards.
The production is being directed by the society’s vice-chairman, Mike Follen, with Paul O’Leary returning as musical director and is joined by Katy Stafford as choreographer.
Performances will take place at The Palace Theatre from Thursday March 27 to Sunday March 31.
The society will also be putting on two matinee performances on the Saturday and Sunday, starting at 2.30pm with evening performances on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Tickets are on general release from the Palace Theatre.
