Shrek’s dragon comes to life in Carmarthen

CDYO will be performing Shrek – The Musical in the renowned Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen between 21 – 25 February.

They approached the University’s Theatre, Design and Production team to create the dragon, called Elizabeth, who guards Fiona and who rescues Shrek, Donkey and Fiona from Lord Farquaad at the end of the story.

Dave Atkinson, Lecturer on the BA Set Design and Production programme said: “We were approached to build a dragon puppet for the production of Shrek. This was a perfect opportunity to showcase the Set Design and Production course based at the University’s Carmarthen campus as we could integrate the project into a second-year module. 

“As part of the module, our students designed and built the dragon alongside teaching staff as well as specialist guidance from Jake Linzey, a graduate of the course who is a director of the multi-award winning prop and puppet makers, Leviathan Workshop. 

“The project is a classic example of the use of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) within the creative industries as the counterweight balance had to be calculated for the reach of the dragon head, while also using mechanics to operate the mouth and head movements. 

“The students are also working on the show as puppeteers and stage management so they will benefit from seeing it through from start to end”. 

(Lead image: UWTSD)