Swamplesque takes everything you thought you knew about Shrek and gleefully tosses it into the swamp, then adds burlesque, drag, circus, powerhouse vocals, and a healthy dose of adult chaos. It’s nostalgic in the best way, but firmly for a grown-up audience who are happy to see their childhood fairytales stripped back, shaken up, and sent back out glittering – nipple tassels and all. 

From the moment the spotlight hits Shrek in a sheer negligee, it’s obvious this show commits fully to the bit. Shrek dancing to All Star and unapologetically stripping as the audience cheers is impossible not to enjoy. That energy carries through the entire cast, and the audience goes along with it willingly.

Pinocchio takes things from Beyoncé’s If I Were a Boy to Baby Got Back, backed by three little pigs, and it works far better than it has any right to. The underwear reveal does not disappoint. Lord Farquaad and the Gingerbread Man each have their own moment on stage, keeping the laughs coming with stripping that plays up the absurdity of it all.

Dragon commands attention with a fierce performance to Adele’s Set Fire to the Rain, flanked by impressive bursts of flames and wisps of smoke, while the Magic Mirror dazzles with acrobatics and a reflective costume that catches the light beautifully. Tash York is fantastic as Fiona, bringing a steadier energy to the show with vocals that pull the room in.

Mimed snippets of dialogue from the film help stitch everything together, from Shrek and Donkey’s reluctant friendship to Lord Farquaad’s search for love. Watching these characters dance and strip on stage feels celebratory rather than shocking. Swamplesque leans fully into its chaos and wears it comfortably.