Everyone’s favourite big, green Scottish monster is jumping off the screen and bringing his swamp to Wimbledon as Shrek the Musical comes to stage later this month.

Vibe’s Josh Budd spoke to Dean Chisnall, who stars as Shrek at New Wimbledon Theatre from January 20 to 31, having played the character for two years on the West End.

Every night, he has to endure two hours of make-up and climb into an elaborate costume before he goes on stage.

He said: “It can get so warm in that fat suit, the hardest thing about performing is definitely the heat of the costume.

“I have played that part now more than a thousand times, being Shrek has just become so automatic, in a way it has become  way of life for me.”

Tim Hatley leads the costume and set design for the show, which also features Princess Fiona and Lord Farquaad from the much loved animated film.

“As actors we are trained to be versatile and take on a variety of roles, but if anyone told me I would be playing Shrek in a fat suit I would have laughed at them,” said Dean.

“But we’ve had a very successful time, the show has been wonderful with so much energy on stage every night and I am convinced that it has another West End life.”

The Wimbledon leg will be the first time the show has been back to London since the West End.

Dean said: “I am so excited, it will feel like a complete rebirth for the show.”

“The show has certainly changed from London to the tour, that’s the glory of performing live, every night you can play around with it so every show is different. That is the great thing about performing.”

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Like the movie, Shrek the Musical looks to provide laughs for parents and children alike, as the play is scattered with innuendo at Lord Farquaad's expense.

“This has been the biggest surprise, some adults think they are bringing their kids to a children's show, but all of the parents have even more fun than the children,” said Dean.

Dean discussed the musical’s aims to communicate a message to children about the importance of not judging people at face value.

He said: “People nowadays tend to read a book by its cover, and we live in a world that is obsessed with image. The show breaks away from that and teaches us that it is okay to be different, we hope children come away feeling that is true. For me to play a character that tells this message to people every night is an honour.”

The show’s finale, which will take place in Salford on February 20, will prove an emotional day for Dean, who has worked with the same cast for more than two years.

“It is such a lovely crew to work with, having spent twenty months with each other, we have become a family. It will be sad but we have to be grateful and make the most of the last five weeks.”

The musical score, provided by Jeanine Tesori, goes out with a bang in a rendition of the The Monkees’ 1967 hit, I’m a Believer featured in the original film.

“In my opinion the musical communicates with the audience even better than the film, everyone who comes along is involved in our show and we are involved in their escapism.”

Shrek the Musical is at New Wimbledon Theatre between January 20 and 31. Go to atgtickets.com/wimbledon

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