It’s almost showtime for WODYS (Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society Youth Section) and Shrek The Musical, which will be performed from Tuesday, August 2 to Saturday, August 6 at the Swan Theatre, Worcester.

Excitement is mounting and the cast is enjoying getting into the different characters for this Broadway and West End smash hit – including Ethan Coombs who is trotting in as Donkey.

Donkey, famously played by Eddie Murphy in the DreamWorks Animation film on which this award-winning fairy-tale adventure is based, becomes Shrek's sidekick in his quest to find Princess Fiona. His antics and loveable character make him a huge hit with audiences young and old.

To help Ethan prepare for his four-legged debut he popped along to Top Barn Farm Park at Hallow to get a few tips on hee-haw antics from donkeys Monty and Dusty.

He was accompanied on his bid to learn some donkey behaviour by two other members of the WODYS cast of more than 50 talented youngsters, aged 8 to 18, Charlotte Hasnip (Pinocchio) and Olivia Lee (Teen Fiona).

Ethan said: “Playing Donkey is great fun and I love the idea of portraying such a distinct and loveable character on stage.

“I have been a member of WODYS since I was nine years old. During my time at WODYS I have had brilliant experiences with performing and rehearsing.

“I’ll be leaving school this year and joining Birmingham Ormiston Academy where I will be studying broadcasting (film, TV and radio) which is what I want to pursue in the future.”

Joining the principals on stage, to make up a cast of more than 50, will be a host of talented youngsters as everything from fairy-tale characters such as Pinocchio and the Ugly Duckling to Ghosts and Guards.

Top Barn Farm Park is run by Mike Harper and his wife Joanna and is also home to WODYS chosen charity for this year - Bonterre CIC which is a part-time alternative education provider, based on a 15-acre small-holding at the farm. The proceeds of the show’s interval raffles will go to Bonterre.

Mike Stringer, a former director at an international engineering firm, founded Bonterre on the Top Barn estate where he has used his horticultural skills to enhance the lives of young people struggling in the school system.

He said: “By using the outdoor environment, we engage children in activities that go beyond what they believe they are capable of, allowing them to experience success and develop skills and attitudes that will benefit them for life.

"As well as the natural environment and horticulture, we also engage the children in art and craft activities, carpentry, cooking, animal care and bush-craft.

“We are very grateful to WODYS for choosing us as their charity for the year and we look forward to seeing their talented young performers in Shrek.”

Tickets for Shrek The Musical are available by visiting Worcester Theatres Huntingdon Hall's box office, calling 01905 611427, or visiting www.worcestertheatres.co.uk.