FROM the moment everyone's favourite ogre walked onto the stage of the Mayflower it was clear we were in for an enchanted night.

High energy song and dance routines, a simple, but charming storyline, plenty of humour and some very clever costuming combined to make a hugely successful show for theatregoers of all ages.

There were fairytale characters aplenty for the children to enjoy, as well as plenty of adult humour for the grown ups.

Shrek tells the tale of an ogre tasked with rescuing a princess locked in a tower, in a bid to reclaim the bit of swamp he calls home.

But, of course, this is a fairytale, so there has to be a happy ever after - Princess Fiona and Shrek fall in love and join forces with their friends, including the talking donkey and a flying dragon, to defeat the nasty - but extremely funny - Lord Farquaard.

Upbeat and full of energy throughout, Shrek The Musical is a brilliantly entertaining evening out for all the family.

Simply magical.