Shrek fans may have two years to wait for the newly announced fifth instalment in the film franchise, but in the meantime, the stage musical has returned to the UK.

The Broadway and West End hit is playing at the Hammersmith Apollo for the next month.

And although a popular family choice, this production is facing a slamming from the critics.

The Times has dubbed Shrek the Musical “a one star calamity”, while The Guardian’s two star review compared it to “sludgy” pantomime.

A common complaint among the reviews was the “unmemorable songs”, with one lambasting the “abysmal singing and monstrous acting”.

However, not all the critics agreed, with Cherece Richards’ singing Dragon being highly praised even in the negative reviews.

Meanwhile, it sounds like Shrek the Musical has gone through some changes with physical elements being replaced by projections.

Yet the biggest turnaround was deciding to no longer have Lord Farquaad perform on his knees, seemingly out of sensitivity to shorter persons.

Instead jokes about the villain’s height have been replaced by innuendos that he’s in the closet.

Yet apparently laughs at the expense of the likes of weight and Fiona’s lyric about seeming “a bit bipolar” remain in the show.

Shrek the Musical is playing at the Hammersmith Apollo in London until August 31 and tickets can be booked here.