Ever wanted to know how long it takes to get Shrek The Musical upward and running?

Well we had a sneak peek backstage to chat to those backside the scenes, when it previously visited Birmingham Hippodrome in 2015.

Nosotros got to see actors get into full costume and marvel at the slick performance behind this fabulous show.

Turning into an ogre

The 2015 leading man Dean Chisnall took more than Ii hours for EVERY show to get into his green make-up.

He had to sit patiently while ii make-up artists advisedly glued on all the silicone prosthetic pieces which were specially made to fit his face.

"I but zone out and can't think almost what'due south happening effectually me," said Dean. "I watch TV or read a book.

"For the start few times I played Shrek I did go a bit claustrophobic but information technology's fine.

"The matter that really surprised me was just how unbearably hot it is in the costume. It feels lite when you put information technology on just you sweat so much that information technology's actually heavy by the end.

"And parts of my face, specially my chin, are in danger of becoming unglued during the show then when I get offstage people push button them back into identify.

"I have to drink eight litres of water during the show to keep hydrated.

"It'due south a real physical work-out, information technology'due south exhausting, but I'm not complaining. Shrek is my dream office, parts don't get much bigger than this!

"He's an iconic character and to play him is a real thrill."

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Dean was the only member of the cast to have been in the prove from the showtime, when it opened in the West Terminate in March 2011.

For the first year he understudied Shrek before taking over the role, and then joining the U.k. tour which is at present halfway through a ii-year run.

The first fourth dimension he really played the ogre was in front of millions of Television set viewers, during a live semi-final of Britain's Got Talent because judge Amanda Holden was the original Fiona.

"I've washed about 900 performances and at least 500 in the make-upwards Shrek," said Dean.

"When I say it like that it's frightening, but really I do love it. Fifty-fifty on matinee days when I continue the brand-up on for 11 hours.

"You only get used to information technology. I get regular facials to cope with the battering my skin takes. I also have to be careful because I have eczema and a latex allergy, and so I tin't have any latex, only silicone, next to my skin."

Princess Fiona

The 2015 leading lady Faye Brookes (who now plays Kate Connor in Coronation Street) took simply 50 SECONDS to transform into an ogre during the bear witness.

"It has to exist like a slick, very fast Formula One pit stop," said company managing director Neil White of the super-quick change.

"At least Dean doesn't go dark-green pigment splashed on his face!" said Faye, who plays Princess Fiona.

"We accept the change very carefully choreographed now. It comes quite near the end.

"I just stand up there while 2 wardrobe people – ane at the front and one at the back – strip off my princess outfit and put on my ogre suit.

"There are 2 people doing my wig and ii people doing my brand-upwardly. They put my olfactory organ and caput on, then the wig, then castor green paint all over my face up.

"There'due south no time for me to meet what I await like. But the showtime fourth dimension I saw myself in a mirror later the evidence, I burst into tears. It was such a daze!"

Dean Chisnall as Shrek and Faye Brookes as Princess Fiona, in Shrek The Musical, which is coming to the Birmingham Hippodrome.

Dean Chisnall as Shrek and Faye Brookes as Princess Fiona, in Shrek The Musical, which is coming to the Birmingham Hippodrome.

Read a review of the show here

What goes on backstage?

Backstage at this spectacular musical is a treasure trove of colourful, quirky objects.

There'due south a white rabbit next to a puppet Puss in Boots and an animatronic Gingy – a gingerbread homo biscuit with attitude.

In the corner is the dragon, who is operated by iv puppeteers. She'south remarkably low-cal but you have to be conscientious with her fragile silk and sequins.

Over in that location is a sign maxim "I practise believe in fairies!" side by side to a large Shrek padded bottom.

The fabulous fairytale costumes are lined upwards, from Ruby-red Riding Hood and Snow White to Pinocchio and the Three Bullheaded Mice.

In the corridor are a choice of Shrek fatsuit bodies, drying out after the washing machine.

Upstairs is caput of make-up Craig Forrest from Dickens Heath, who has to make certain everyone looks their all-time – or greenest.

Open a drawer in his department and you tin can observe silicone hands and baby Shrek heads.

Company manager Neil White says: "The cracking thing about Shrek is that it's so colourful, as we bring the blitheness to life.

"And everything that was in the Drury Lane bear witness is here, information technology'south non a scaled-downwardly version but the West End show.

"It's clever because it works on 2 levels. It appeals then much to children but at that place is as well sense of humour for adults that goes over their heads."

Shrek The Musical runs at the New Alexandra Theatre from Wednesday 14th to Sunday 25th February. For ticket information click here

A Gingy prop behind the scenes of Shrek The Musical, at the Birmingham Hippodrome.

A Gingy prop backside the scenes of Shrek The Musical, at the Birmingham Hippodrome.

Shrek The Musical in numbers

26 actors in the bandage.

xc people work backstage, including a 13 piece orchestra, four in brand-upwards, 4 in wigs and xv in wardrobe.

23 of the bandage play 115 different characters.

They need 100 wigs and 300 costumes.

£100 is the cost of just ane prosthetic hog's olfactory organ.

The ready and props are transported in nine articulated trucks. The coiffure had just 48 hours to motion from Newcastle and set up in Birmingham.

19 is the age of player Idiriss Kargbo who plays Donkey.

Shrek's prosthetic ogre hands, behind the scenes of Shrek The Musical, at the Birmingham Hippodrome.

Shrek'south prosthetic ogre hands, backside the scenes of Shrek The Musical, at the Birmingham Hippodrome.