Shrek the Musical brings movie characters to life at Riverside Theatre
AUDREY Currie and Karen Lamont-Barnett have exactly one minute and 45 seconds in Shrek the Musical to transform Princess Fiona into Ogre Fiona.
Parramatta
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AUDREY Currie and Karen Lamont-Barnett have exactly one minute and 45 seconds in Shrek the Musical to transform Princess Fiona into Ogre Fiona.
This is the most time sensitive moment in the musical for the head of costumes and design and head of makeup, wigs and prosthetics.
The pair have talked through the situation and will run through exactly how those seconds will be spent and what role their six-member team will have.
What’s involved? Outfit change, wig change, ogre nose on and the actor’s exposed skin needs to be green.
“It’ll be fast, but we’re used to the pressure and everyone has a role,” Mrs Currie from Rouse Hill said.
The pair are currently creating the 154 costumes including four costume changes for Princess Fiona. They started this process in July, seven months out from the first show at Riverside Theatres, Parramatta.
“Majority of the main character costumes are made from scratch and they need to last the 16 shows plus dress rehearsals,” she said.
“We work with the directors and team ... and make their vision a reality.”
Mrs Lamont-Barnett from St Clair said she has a team of three who work closely with Mrs Currie and her team of three creating the characters and ensuring everything runs smoothly at the show.
Rehearsals and dress fittings are held weekly in Castle Hill.
Having worked in makeup for 12 years, finding a job that suited life as a mum was challenging.
“I worked on The Lion King and that was six days a week, 12 hours a day. I got offered Matilda and had to say no — I needed to be there for my son,” she said.
“I started with Packemin Productions and love it.”
Fast forward a few years and Shrek the Musical is Mrs Lamont-Barnett’s ninth production with Packemin.
Mrs Currie said to expect all the good stuff from the movie.
“This is a kid’s show — they want to see Shrek and all his friends exactly how they remember him from the movie,” she said.
Play School’s Jay Laga’aia will play Shrek.
Shrek the Musical brings all the beloved characters from the movie to life on stage. Expect to see Shrek, Fiona, Lord Farquaad, Donkey, Dragon and all their fairytale characters.
It’ll be at Riverside Theatres from February 2 to 17.
WHAT THE SHREK
Actor playing Lord Farquaad is 1.89m tall. He will be on his knees the entire production to play the short-statured character
Shrek the Musical will be at Riverside Theatres, Parramatta from February 2 to 17
Packemin Productions is putting on the show
Tickets from $45
Details: riversideparramatta.com.au