Siblings on stage for Playhouse’s Shrek musical

While Jacob and Bonny Treloar are no strangers to treading the boards together the siblings are set to take on two fearsome roles in Shrek the Musical, the Playhouse Theatre's biggest production of the year.

At the turn of the century Shrek sparked a motion picture phenomenon capturing the imagination of young and old, now the Bundaberg Region will have the chance to experience the live stage show as Shrek the Musical comes to the Playhouse Theatre.

Shrek the Musical will be the biggest production of the year for Bundaberg Playhouse Theatre, and there is sure to a be a belly full of laughs as brother and sister Jacob and Bonny take on two of the lead roles.

Jacob will portray the ogre Shrek, while his sister Bonny will play the role of the dragon.

For those who know Jacob, the role of Shrek comes as no surprise for the jovial 21-year-old.

“A lot of people when they hear I am playing Shrek say ‘of course that makes so much sense’, and at first I was like that’s pretty cool, but now – I guess it’s the ogre coming out in me, I say ‘how dare you’,” Jacob laughed.

“I feel it’s pretty cool, this is the first lead in a musical for me and there will be plenty of singing.

“Being a lead in a musical can be pretty daunting, but I have this incredible team behind me and so much support that it makes it less terrifying.

“It’s already been a tonne of fun in just the rehearsing, and I can’t wait for opening night.”

While Bonny, 19, isn’t new to singing in front of an audience, as she played one of the Divas in last year’s major Playhouse Theatre production, Priscilla.

“I will be singing Dragon’s song, while operating her mouth to be in lip-sync with it,” Bonny said.

“I originally set out to be in the choir, as when you’re in the choir you have so much fun, but then I got the role of Dragon and I really love it.”

Bonny said it was a dream come true to be in Shrek the Musical.

“Shrek does hold a bit of a place in my heart,” she said.

“It’s a movie that resonates with everyone, when your child you see the movie one way and then as you get older you watch it again and you get these jokes that you never realised before.

“It’s really great to be involved.

“I love being on stage with Grace Petersen, Jacob, Lachlan Davis and Sam Brisbane, as the other leads – they are so quick-witted and really the show is going to be so much fun.

“Jacob and I have shared the stage in countless Eisteddfods normally nudging each other with support, and Grace is my best friend, so it can’t get better than that.”

High demand for Shrek The Musical tickets

One of the best loved movie characters, Shrek, will be live on the Playhouse Theatre stage for eight performances in March and tickets were in high demand when they went on sale over the weekend.

Director Rebecca Hutchins said Shrek was known and loved by generations, and there was a lot of pressure on her to make sure everything was picture perfect.

“Everyone knows Shrek,” Rebecca said.

“Young children love Shrek so there’s been a bit of pressure on me, compared to other Playhouse productions.

“I want every kid’s dream to come true when they watch this, and I don’t want anyone to be disappointed.

“We have an amazing cast, with sensational leads.”

Rebecca said Shrek on stage at the Playhouse Theatre promised to be a big and bright musical that would leave a warm feeling in the hearts of the community.

“Shrek the Musical brings to the stage all the beloved characters you know from the oscar-winning DreamWorks film as they embark on a big, bright, musical adventure,” Rebecca said.

“We invite Bundaberg audiences to join the unlikely hero Shrek and his noble steed Donkey as they endeavour to complete their quest for the evil Lord Farquaad, finding unexpected friendships and romance along the way.

“The original score and vibrant array of characters make for a toe-tapping night out for the young and young at heart.”

Shrek the Musical is on at The Playhouse Theatre for eight performances including: March 17, 18, 24, 25, 31 and April 1 at 7:30 pm, with matinees March 19 and 26 at 3 pm.

The Playhouse Theatre Bundaberg Facebook page said tickets had been in high demand over the weekend and were “just about sold out”.

“If you're a subscriber and haven't booked your ticket, please email us today at secretary@bpi.org.au; or if you'd like to go on our waiting list,” a recent post read.