The action begins before the performance at Swamplesque.
First, there’s a very enthusiastic audience member, standing up and leading the growing audience through an impressive lip sync of the background music being played to warm the crowd up.
Then, there’s the pre-show legal disclaimer, setting out how this show is totally, 100% not affiliated in any way with Shrek The Movie, Dreamworks or anyone associated with the movie. There has, quite seriously, been litigation about this. Apparently it’s all fine because it counts as Parody. It is certainly that.
What this show is, is queer, body-positive burlesque and cabaret, with a very abridged version of the narrative of Shrek woven through it.
The production company behind Swamplesque is Trigger Happy Productions. It’s Trigger themselves, dressed as the green ogre, who opens the show. They perform an exceedingly enthusiastic striptease, and do some lovely work with two large green feathered fans.
This sets the tone for the performance overall, and the audience on the evening we saw the show were supportive all the way through. This is a show that encourages whooping and cheering, and even dressing up – there were several sets of ‘ogre ears’ noticeable on the heads of audience members.
From Trigger’s first act, we launch into a series of acts, whose sets are interlinked by Trigger, and various other of the performers, lip-syncing their way through key scenes from the Shrek film.
As with many burlesque shows, all of this is done with tongues firmly rammed in cheeks, and a great sense of fun and playfulness. In an early routine, Pinocchio is joined onstage by three little pigs. Three giant, inflatable ‘little’ pigs.
As well as plenty of striptease, there are also some incredible physical feats. Lord Farquad swallows a sword. The Magic Mirror performs an Aerial Straps routine. A suitor for Fiona performs a balancing act. The executioner has a chair work routine.
In amongst all of these, the teasing strips continue. The Gingerbread person will remain lodged in my memory as a ‘what did I just see?’ moment.
This is an incredible show. It is absolutely not family entertainment, and you absolutely should not consider trying to take anyone under the age of 16 to see this show.
The love for the original film shines through – even if this is, officially, a legally distinct confection. As an example of a burlesque show, this is a troupe at the top of their game, working together to create a weirdly compelling narrative, where you root for everyone to get their happy ending. Burlesque at its best.
Swamplesque continues in the Main Hall at Assembly Hall (on The Mound), at 21:3 daily, until August 25 (not 18)
All images, including Featured Image, courtesy of Assembly Venues
