Book now for Shrek Jr at Cardiff Open Air Theatre Festival

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Shrek Jr Cardiff Open Air Theatre Festival

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Paid collaboration with Cardiff Open Air Theatre Festival

Cardiff Open Air Theatre Festival is undoubtedly one of our highlights of the summer, bringing a range of amateur and professional productions to the stage in Sophia Gardens.

We’ve been going to their annual family performances since my children were little, having seen a range of shows including The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Seussical, and High School Musical, all performed by a brilliantly talented cast of local young people.

We’re super excited for this year’s show Shrek Jnr, which marks the start of the summer holidays, running from Saturday 20-27 July, with two performances per day.

Shrek Jr at the 2024 Cardiff Open Air Theatre Festival

Based on Dreamworks’ Oscar-winning smash hit film and the Broadway show, the stage spectacle tells of loveable ogre Shrek, whose peace comes crashing down when his swamp is invaded by a gang of annoying fairytale misfits who have been banished by Lord Farquaad. In a bid to restore calm, Shrek makes a deal and sets off to rescue the feisty Princess Fiona, accompanied by his trust donkey. But there are twists and turns along the way, as Shrek finds love.

Shrek Jr will be performed by local young people from Cardiff performing arts school Go Productions, in their 10th annual family show at the festival.

Shrek Jr Cardiff Open Air Theatre Festival

The Jr in the title refers to the fact this is an abridged version of around an hour in length, condensing all the best moments and musical numbers from the show, and making it perfect for family audiences and younger children. It will be performed on the festival’s famous outdoor stage, meaning if it rains, the cast will get wet – although the audience will be nice and dry in a specially-constructed seating area with a roof, set against the back drop of Bute Park and Cardiff Castle.

You can make a day of it, with refreshments available in the Courtyard Bar before or afterwards, and then combine with a visit to Bute Park or Cardiff Castle.

Shrek Jr runs from Saturday 20-27 July.

What else is on at the 2024 Cardiff Open Air Theatre Festival?

Cardiff Open Air Theatre Festival

And there’s more to the festival than just the family show, with a whole programme of productions to suit all ages. Showcasing the acclaimed talents and united passion of Everyman Theatre Company’s semi-professional performers, and led by industry renowned directors, the Cardiff Open Air Theatre Festival is a celebration of community, live performing arts and the magic and excitement of open air theatre in a beautiful setting.

The Tempest opened the festival last night, and runs until 28 June. This modern adaptation is set against the backdrop of a plane crash on a mystical, remote island, and blends the timeless magic of Shakespeare’s dark comedy with the gripping supernatural intrigue of sci-fi hit TV drama Lost.

One Man, Two Guvnors runs from 4-13 July. The fast, frenetic and funny West End hit show is a tale of disguise and deception set in 1960s Brighton. It’s followed by smash hit Broadway musical Guys and Dolls (1827 July), bringing the colourful New York street scenes to be injected into the Welsh open air! This feel-good sensation is famed for its wit, heart and unforgettable toe-tapping score.

The award-winning Everyman Youth Theatre (Winners of National Theatre Connections) return to perform Shakespeare’s classic tale of two star crossed lovers and their tragic demise, Romeo & Juliet on July 7 and 21. It questions which is greater – Love for your family?  Or love, so intense, so passionate, so violent that you risk losing everyone you hold dear?

The festival will also feature a range of comedy, live music and even gardening know how. June 23 sees Abba tribute band Revival taking to the stage. You can catch tribute act Frankie’s Guys on 29 June, bringing the unforgettable sound of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons to the stage. On 30 June Amnesty International Stand Up In The Park returns with a line-up of comedy stars and, for the first time, the Festival welcomes BBC Radio 2’s gardening guru Terry Walton in a live Q&A session on 12 July helping both experienced and first time gardeners alike.

Now in its 41st year, it is Wales’ largest open air theatre festival and is an entirely non sponsored, not for profit event staged annually by a team of passionate and dedicated volunteers. Attracting 14,000 people each year, it gives Wales’s finest pro-am performers, plus special guests, the chance to perform in Cardiff’s Sophia Grounds.

Cardiff Open Air Theatre Festival runs from June 20th to July 27th at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff.

Tickets are priced at £25 for most shows with family musical SHREK, The Musical Jr priced at £15 or a family ticket is available for £52 admitting 4 people.

See full details of each performance, as well as information on how to book, here.

  • The Tempest June 20-28
  • ABBA tribute band RËVIVAL™: June 23
  • One Man, Two Guvnors: July 4-13
  • Guys & Dolls: July 18-27
  • Frankie’s Guys: Frankie Valli Tribute act: June 29
  • Amnesty International Stand Up in the Park: June 30
  • Romeo & Juliet (Everyman Youth Theatre): July 7 and 21
  • Gardening Q&A with BBC’s Terry Walton: July 12
  • SHREK, The Musical Jr.: July 20-27

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