Onions have layers; ogres have layers and so does Shrek the Musical – layers and layers of fabulousness.

This year’s Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Bermuda musical may be one of their best yet.

The show opened on Wednesday at the Earl Cameron Theatre with a special performance for drama students from across the island.

Shrek The Musical tells a story familiar to many, thanks to DreamWorks Animation’s 2001 movie Shrek. In the story a heroic ogre and donkey go on a journey to rescue a princess from a tower. There is just one problem – the crabby dragon guarding her.

What really made this production shine was having Marcus Smith, a Bermudian pursuing a career as a professional performer. As Donkey he brought a wonderfully warm and comedic touch, along with fabulous singing and dancing. Although Donkey is supposed to be Shrek’s sidekick, Smith’s shining talent threatened to reverse that relationship – by the finale it was Donkey that the audience cheered for the loudest and the star of this show without question.

He and Stephen Notman, who played Shrek, worked well together with a great deal of stage chemistry; the musical is just as much about the relationship between Shrek and Donkey as it is about Shrek and Princess Fiona, played by Kelly Gilmour.

The music was definitely another highlight. Although it includes only one or two tunes from the popular film numbers such as What’s Up Duloc? and Story of My Life , they stick with you long after the show has ended.

All of the lead actors were strong singers. While Gilmour really belted out the notes it was Jennifer Iris, who played Dragon, who threatened to burn down the house.

Her voice could be summed up with one word: “wow”. Classical and robust, it seemed well suited for rhythm and blues. She did such an amazing job with Dragon – a character that was really meant to be secondary – that, for a moment the audience forgot about the princess in the tower.

Notman, who has described himself as “the bane of every choreographer's existence”, did admirably well with both singing and dancing. If his dancing was a little “dad-like” in places, that only fit the character. He was very convincing in the role, all around.

Kudos also goes to director and choreographer Jamie Wilkin, musical director Philip Shute, producer Jane Thorpe and stage manager Jade Weaver. Their talents were obvious in the way everything flowed seamlessly even on the first day before an audience.

Shrek the Musical was full of quirky cleverness that sometimes left you wondering. As an example, Pinocchio, played by Hannah Taylor, has a nose that actually grows.

It was an entertaining night with many laughs. There were some silly fart jokes thrown in to make the younger children giggle – a few adults may have laughed also, but we won’t tell.

Che Barker was hilarious as the villain, Lord Farquaad. Others who deserve a nod were Zoe Murdoch for creating such great costumes and Adrienne Smatt for the scenic artistry.

If you don’t have tickets for Shrek the Musical, get them now. The show is well worth seeing.

• The Gilbert & Sullivan Society’s production of Shrek the Musical is on now through October 14 at Earl Cameron Theatre. Tickets are available at ptix.bm