No manners but lots of fun: Why Lucy Durack and Ben Mingay love Shrek the Musical
They get to play two of the most-loved characters in modern fairytales — but that’s not the only reason Ben Mingay and Lucy Durack are having so much fun transforming into ogres in Shrek the Musical.
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Lucy Durack does an apologetic little cough before stepping carefully into a conversation about something completely foreign to her usually poised and professional persona.
But since the much-loved musical theatre performer is joining hunky Ben Mingay in playing the loved-up ogres in Shrek The Musical, the subject really can’t be avoided. It is human gas.
Anyone who has seen the popular movies will know that Shrek’s manners are only what you’d expect of an overweight ogre who lives alone in a swamp.
Princess Fiona, while always beautiful even when she’s green, is likewise an earthy character.
A recent media run-through of one of Shrek’s big numbers in the show proved there’ll be no room for shrinking violets when it comes to bodily functions.
Both performers admit that, um, discharging so frankly on stage runs counter to everything they’ve ever been taught about their craft. But according to Durack, it’s “pretty fun”.
Mingay has been finding it strange to veer so far off the beaten track, but is also loving the experience.
“There’s one song, it’s called I Think I Got You Beat, and we basically have a fart and burp-off. Words don’t explain it — it’s hilarious,” Mingay says.
“(It’s) duelling bodily emissions,” Durack agrees.
It all adds up to what sounds like an offbeat musical whose message, according to Durack, is celebrating what makes you different and not leaving anybody out in the cold.
The reviews for the show, which has already opened in Sydney, have been glowing, praising its light, family fun humour while also being full of heart.
Associate director Jenny Sawyer, who toured the UK with the musical, loves the show for its “big heart”.
So do we still get to see that Mingay is actually very handsome despite his huge costume and elaborate makeup?
“Well, I suppose that’s if you like tall, big green men,” Sawyer says. “You’d have to make up your own mind about that.”
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Mingay is 1.8m tall in real life, but he grows to be 2m once he has his Shrek costume on. As for Durack, she has to go green every performance.
“I believe I have two people with sponges just greening me up really fast,” she says.
Fortunately Sharon Case is the head of wigs and makeup on Shrek The Musical. Case had the same role in the musical Wicked when Jemma Rix, playing the Wicked Witch Of The West opposite Durack’s Glinda The Good Witch, also had to be almost instantly made green.
Shrek the Musical, Her Majesty’s Theatre, Opens January 19.