It’s not long now Shrek The Musical arrives at Venue Cymru in Llandudno, last week we brought you an interview with Amelia Lily who plays Princess Fiona in the musical based on the Oscar-winning Dreamworks movie, so today we bring you an interview with Shrek who is played by Steffan Harri.
How does it feel to be playing Shrek and what are your favourite parts of the role?
I’m absolutely over the moon to be playing Shrek. He has so many layers to his character and there are so many comedy moments too. I do enjoy his one-liners and his dad jokes. I Think I Got You Beat (or which we call ‘the fart song’) is a lot of fun to perform every night and Jeanine Tesori’s score is incredible, I’ll never tire of singing such great songs. One of my favourite parts of the show is jumping on to the stage at the beginning and seeing the faces of the children who are so excited.
What makes it such a fun family show?
It’s the perfect family musical and it’s not just for the young, there’s plenty for adults too. It’s so colourful, the costumes and set are just incredible; we’ve even got a 14-foot dragon that looks just like the film. The audience reaction every night is brilliant and at the heart of it is a fantastic message about being true to yourself. In one performance, there’s a part where Shrek calls himself ugly and one night a little girl in the audience replied, “You’re not ugly, Shrek”, she definitely got the message! The musical also expands on the film, looking more in depth at the characters and their backstory which is really interesting. You can expect the most fantastic night for the whole family.
Marcus Ayton as Donkey. Shrek the Musical UK and Ireland tour 2018. Credit Helen Maybanks
Most Welsh language audiences will remember you from Rownd a Rownd – what’s different about working on the small screen compared to live theatre?
They’re very different and live theatre is so much more intimate but I enjoy them both. When you’re filming for TV you have a camera in your face, and you don’t have to project your voice in any way. The team at Rownd a Rownd are fantastic and I had a great time there. It was nice to have different scripts every week and, for me, to act in my native tongue. Then six months later I was cast in Spamalot in the West End. It’s great not to limit myself and I always want to test myself in my career. There’s nothing like a live audience, and for some reason, audiences seem to love chatting to Shrek when he’s on stage. Last night, Fiona rushes away and I shout goodnight and a little girl shouted ‘goodnight’ back to me. It’s fantastic to get audience reactions, you don’t know what to expect and it’s fun to see how actors react on the spot.
How do you prepare for a role like this?
It’s very demanding and it does take over your life completely. I usually wake up in the morning and start drinking water straight away. During the show itself, I drink 8 litres of water, hydrating before and during every performance. I have to make sure I’m physically able to do the show too – they say the costume is 48lb, though sometimes it feels heavier! I keep very fit and I have regular physio too. As I spend a lot of time getting into make-up, even skin protection is important. I have regular facials and a very strict skin regime both before and after the show – I have Dermalogica products coming out of my ears! A lot of effort goes into a performance and doing 8 shows a week but this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and it’s an easy sacrifice to make for a year.
Do you have any superstitions or habits before going on stage?
I don’t really have superstitions but I have noticed getting into a routine; I put my left shoe on first before my right, I always have music on from the quarter hour call and I usually leave the dressing room at 2 minutes before the show so I always wait until 58 or 28 minutes past. Don’t ask me why!
Shrek is both a much-loved character and iconic film. Did you take inspiration from the original animation?
I actually watched the film the night I got the job and I haven’t watched it since because I wanted to put my own take on it. The musical expands on the backstory of Shrek’s family and Shrek’s younger days, so it really is my own take on the character which is important. You do have to respect the film and I think that’s what we’ve done with the costume and make-up; when the audience come to see the show they expect to see Shrek and the characters that they recognise in the films. It’s definitely my own take but the film is a very good guide.
Samuel Holmes as Lord Farquaad. Shrek the Musical UK and Ireland tour 2018. Credit Helen Maybanks
Tell us a bit about where you are from?
I’m originally from mid -Wales, the son of a farmer and a doctor, and I’m still very close to the area and my family, it’s very important to me and I try to visit as much as I can. I went to primary and high school in Llanfair Caereinion, I completed my education there and I’m a fluent Welsh speaker. The Welsh language is extremely important to me and I try to perform in Welsh whenever there is the opportunity. I lived there from when I was born to age 17 when I left for drama school at Guildford School of Acting. I first started acting in the Eisteddfod when I was 6 years old which I loved. Nowadays I go back home any chance I get. I always go for lambing season but this year I’ll miss it completely because I’m touring. It will be the first time I’ve not been able to help and I feel a bit guilty but I’m working hard here as well and my family know that!
Finally, how does it feel to be performing on home territory?
Fantastic! I haven’t performed professionally yet at Venue Cymru, my friends and family are coming to see me and I can’t wait. After being in London for a year, it’s nice to be out on the road and to see more of the UK and to bring Shrek the Musical to the people of North and South Wales. I think it will feel very special. I’m very proud of the show and I really hope the audience will enjoy it.
Don’t miss Shrek The Musical at Venue Cymru, book your tickets at www.venuecymru.co.uk or via the Box Office 01492 87 20 00.
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
