A few weeks ago on a cold and wet Thursday afternoon, I watched my daughter’s face fill with utter joy as she watched a green ogre dance and sing on a stage in Sheffield.

It was pure parenting magic.

If I’m being completely honest, I can’t say I’m the world’s greatest fan when it comes to musicals. I’ve seen a few throughout my life and always enjoyed them, but if I had to chose between a serious drama (like a Shakespearean tragedy for instance) or a musical, then the drama would always win.

However, I can now say hand on heart that Shrek the Musical has convinced me that there is definitely a place in my life and more importantly, in my children’s lives, for more singing and more dancing when it comes to watching something at the theatre.

The very kind people at the beautiful Sheffield Lyceum theatre kindly invited us to watch Shrek The Musical over the Easter break and it really was fantastic. We even got to meet a couple of the stars too beforehand, an extra special treat for an already deliriously giddy little girl. Here we are with one of the three little pigs. (You can’t say that every day can you?!)

Elsie has been a big fan of the Shrek films (thanks Netflix) for a couple of years now so thankfully she knew the story of Shrek and Princess Fiona incredibly well and also all about the many fairytale characters that the musical features. (And brilliantly too.)

It was Elsie’s first outing to a proper theatre and the look on her face when we entered and went to find our seats was priceless. (Sheffield Lyceum is an absolutely beautiful traditional theatre, if you ever get the chance to go, it’s so worth the visit. )

With her Fiona ears firmly on and a special booster seat to lift her to see the stage properly, Elsie was all set and raring for the show to begin. It was her first musical and so as her Mum I was really keen to see whether or not a) she would enjoy it and b) whether or not she’d manage to keep still for the performance, particularly as we’re off to see Matilda The Musical in September.

But I needn’t have worried. From the moment it began until the very last song, she was utterly mesmerised.

Production wise, Shrek the Musical, was simply brilliant. From the impressive set to the fabulous costumes (Elsie couldn’t get over how much Shrek looked like ‘Shrek’ and still talks about it now!), flawless singing to entertaining dance routines, Shrek the Musical, had us totally captivated from start to finish and laughing and singing along in our seats.

The show was pretty long at just over 2 hours but with an interval in the middle (the perfect opportunity for an ice cream break) Elsie managed it fine and like her somewhat surprised mum, seemingly loved every single minute.

I don’t want to give too much away when it comes to the show, as I always think that it can ruin the surprise, but what I can say with absolute sincerity is that as far as the much longed for ‘feel good factor’ goes, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better family musical than this.

If you ever get the chance to see it, you must go. We’re still listening and singing along to the songs in our house now, two weeks on…

Many thanks to the team at Sheffield Theatres for inviting us.