Shrek The Musical – Once Upon a Stage in Abu Dhabi
- Purva Grover
- 11 minutes ago
- 5 min read
A fairy tale with a local touch, laugh-out-loud moments, and plenty of heart—Shrek in Abu Dhabi proved that magic, misfits, and musicals are a match made in swampy heaven.
How about a fairy-tale musical that pauses your buzzing brain, silences your to-do list, and freezes your heart in a childlike wonder? One where your legs begin to tap, your arms sway to the rhythm, and even your adulting soul giggles? We found just that—or came deliciously close—on a June afternoon in Abu Dhabi.
The venue: Red Theatre, NYUAD, The Arts Centre.
The show: Shrek the Musical, matinee.
Presented by: Abu Dhabi’s community theatre company, the spirited Abu Dhabi Choral Group.
Based on the beloved DreamWorks Animation film and the book by William Steig, this stage adaptation featured music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire.
From the moment the curtain lifted, we were transported into a pop-up storybook world. The clever use of pages as a backdrop—complete with "Once Upon A Time" lettering—was a gentle reminder that all great things begin with a story. Castles, forests, sunflowers, swamps—each digital backdrop felt hand-touched, charmingly human, and refreshingly non-AI.
The juxtaposition of baby Shrek and Fiona with their grown-up selves at the start was thoughtful. A round of applause for the little Fiona and a tiny plea to not hide baby Shrek’s adorable face—his back may be ogre-strong, but we wanted to see that talent up front.
One of the pure joys of the show? Spotting all our childhood (and adulthood) fairy tale favorites. As Lord Farquaad exiled them to the swamp, we played the best live-action guessing game: “Oh! The three blind mice!” “Is that Sleeping Beauty?!” (She kept dozing off mid-scene—brilliantly funny.) Pinocchio was dramatic. Puss in Boots sassed in style. The Three Bears, Wicked Witch, Big Bad Wolf—each had their moment in the spotlight, no matter how fleeting, and owned it—which spoke of great direction!
Now, about the “local flavor” sprinkled throughout—Burj Khalifa signage next to Duloc? AED 10 honey jars in the forest? The occasional “Yalla Habibi!” and “Khalas!”? Not purist, perhaps—but crowd-pleasing.
A standing ovation (if our knees weren’t still recovering from laughing) for Lord Farquaad. Portraying a villainous dwarf while on your knees the entire show? That’s dedication. Add silky hair flips, exaggerated haughtiness, and comic timing; you’ve got a crowd favorite. The “faux legs” were used brilliantly—from stretches to dance routines, every movement was hilarious and brilliant. And yes, the puns—“small talk,” “lower expectations”—were greatly appreciated.
The three Fionas—singing across time with finesse, harmony, and stage presence. Casting for them (and for adult Fiona and Shrek) was spot-on. Shrek had us wrapped in his green charm—his emotional vulnerability, quiet strength, and perfect comic pauses made him a joy to watch. Fiona was magnetic—she danced, sang, over-acted in just the right way, and owned her moments of melodrama.
The dragon deserves her standing ovation. Not just for her gorgeous appearance but for the craftsmanship behind every muscle and every tooth. (We were in awe of how the characters ensured even the teeth moved.) The entire dragon sequence was pure theatre magic—more carnival than creature—and the singing spellbound us.
Donkey, oh, Donkey. You made us love you even more. From the facial expressions to the physical comedy, the warmth and chemistry you shared with Shrek made us long for a friend like you. Your presence filled the stage—and our hearts.
One standout scene was the Pied Piper bit—where the mice wouldn’t follow until Fiona suggested a change of tune. A delightful burst of choreography followed, with mouse-faced feet peeking out from beneath the curtains. Genius. The varied choreography throughout the show had us dancing in our seats.
A tiny request: a printed cast list or an on-screen credit post-curtain call would’ve helped us applaud each talent by name. Yes, we did scan the QR code. Some performers did emerge to the lobby afterward, charming little fans (and their grown-up counterparts), reminding us it was time to return to reality... and to the long drive back to Dubai. But not before singing: “And then I saw her face... Now I’m a believer!”
The sets and props? Handcrafted delights. The unicorn used by the Lord. The dragon’s teeth. The DIY cookies, the milk carton! It didn’t feel like a movie set. It felt better—intimate, imaginative, and made with love. The live orchestra was nothing short of phenomenal. From the first note, the orchestra brought the fairytale world to life with a vibrant, cinematic sweep that elevated every scene. Each musical cue was perfectly timed, adding drama, humor, and heart to the onstage action. The energy of the musicians was infectious, making the performance feel immersive and grand. Clearly, the orchestra wasn’t just accompanying the show—they were an integral part of the storytelling magic.
One element that did take away, rather than add, to the magical illusion was the use of artificial fog and smoke. While it did amp up the drama and fairy-tale mystery of certain scenes, it wasn’t the most practical choice—especially for an indoor theatre packed with an enthusiastic audience. Several viewers, including us, found themselves coughing through the haze. Given that this was the fifth and final show of the run, we were surprised this hadn’t come up in earlier feedback. Dramatic? Yes. But practical or comfortable? Not quite.
And the jokes? Sharp and well-placed. “Let me spell it for you...” got the usual laughs. “What goes well with donuts?” “Well, diabetes...” Ouch—but we laughed.
Shrek's emotional range was powerful—we cried when he felt lonely, rooted for him when he broke emotional walls, and chuckled when he remained stubbornly ogre-ish. He reminded us that we, like ogres (and onions), have layers.
Ultimately, this musical reminded us that fairy tales deserve a refresh. This one celebrated individuality, imperfection, and joy in all its green, swampy glory. The multicultural cast and diverse audience only added to the magic. As the cast sang, "What makes us special, makes us strong," it rang true in every accent, every laugh, every layer.
For the love of fairy tales is such, and sang the performers: "We will write them, you will hear them, and even smell them..." Yes, the fart and burp jokes landed—quite literally—with a whoosh of hand waves and loud guffaws. Because who said fairy tales had to be proper?
More on Shrek: Once upon a time, an ogre named Shrek lived in a faraway swamp whose precious solitude was suddenly shattered by an invasion of annoying fairy tale characters. They were all banished from their kingdom by the evil Lord Farquaad. Determined to save their home—not to mention his—Shrek cuts a deal with Farquaad and sets out to rescue Princess Fiona to be Farquaad's bride. Rescuing the princess may be a small task compared to uncovering her deep, dark secret.
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Authored by Purva Grover
Purva Grover is an author, journalist, and creative entrepreneur. She is the founder-editor of storiesoverart.com, a sanctuary for all who find solace, inspiration, and purpose in art. In a world that often overlooks the significance of art, she stands firm in her belief that it is essential, more so than anything else.
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