Dragon voice: Kyabram nurse Alisha Beavis will appear as Dragon in Echuca Moama Theatre Company’s production of Shrek the Musical. Photos: Courtesy Tamara Cadd
Kyabram and district Thespians will bring to life weird and wonderful fairytale creatures when Echuca-Moama Theatre Company’s (EMTC) production of Shrek the Musical opens later this month.
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Kyabram nurse Alisha Beavis returns to the stage after a few years’ break — this time as the formidable Dragon who guards the castle where Princess Fiona is trapped.
Alisha is excited to be back with EMTC following her stunning vocal performances as Motormouth Maybelle in the company’s production of Hairspray in 2015 and as Alice Beneike in The Addams Family in 2019 — both of which earnt her multiple Georgy nominations.
“Voicing Dragon has been a totally new experience for me; trying to convey emotion, character and life through just my voice — and in song — has been really challenging but I'm enjoying every minute of it,” Alisha said.
“Especially because our production team and the entire cast is unbelievably supportive, not to mention super talented.”
Kyabram mother-and-daughter duo Kate and Matilda Griffin are newcomers to the company and are looking forward to playing their respective roles.
Kate, a teacher at Moama Anglican Grammar, plays Princess Fiona’s mother Queen Lillian as well as the Mad Hatter, while daughter Matilda is part of the ensemble.
Yambuna teenager Grace McMaster also stars in the show — as Baby Bear, while Kyabram theatre stalwart Tricia Deakin returns to work her magic as lighting designer.
Shrek the Musical will be EMTC’s first musical back since having to cut short its 2021 performance of Little Shop of Horrors because of COVID-19 restrictions.
Darcy Elliott, Tamara Cadd and Mark Thomson are directing the production, which is anticipated to be a show like no other.
With a cast of more than 40, ranging in age from 12 to mid-60s, the show is full of colourful characters, hilarious one-liners, fabulous songs and toe-tapping dancing.
“The show has got a fantastic vibe about it and has something for everyone,” Darcy said.
“If I were you, I’d make sure you book your tickets early because I have a sneaking suspicion that they are going to be hard to get a hold of soon.”
Shrek the Musical takes to the stage at Echuca’s Paramount Theatre from May 26 to June 3.
Get your tickets at Echuca Paramount or book online at www.echucaparamount.com
Cute duo: Kyabram mother and daughter Kate and Matilda Griffin will both appear in the Shrek production. Kate stars as Queen Lillian, as well as the Mad Hatter, while Matilda is an ensemble cast member.
