Review: Swamplesque

With posters plastered around the city – the iconic green all too recognisable – Swamplesque has become something of a punchline. And yet, with an undeniable artistry, the Shrek parody burlesque proves itself far from the butt of the joke. As silly as it is sexy, Swamplesque sees familiar characters take to the stage like never before, for a brilliantly surreal hour of fun.

Claiming the stage as their own, the performers spin and kick with an awe-worthy precision. Their energy is utterly infectious. With a simple, empty stage, Swamplesque lets the performance take the reins. The show doesn’t attempt to cover the film’s entirety in just an hour; rather, it celebrates and revels in segments rich with possibility. Something of an intertextual triumph, each song is carefully interwoven into the story with opening bars bringing cheers and knowing laughs. Although primarily lip-synced, there’s some stellar vocals thrown in for good measure.

The costumes are perhaps the show’s shining star: lush red velvet, mirror plates, green sequins upon green lace. Of course, such items are soon stripped away, each performer teasing the audience with delight. In this, pleasure finds itself under the spotlight - and rightly so. Whether a Shrek fan or otherwise, Swamplesque is a must-see.