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 being staged at Newark’s Palace Theatre from Thursday, March 27, to Sunday, March 31.

It 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’.

Shrek will be played 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.

The society has opted for two matinee shows on the Saturday and Sunday, starting at 2.30pm with evening performances on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

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.

Tickets are available from the Palace Theatre box office.