We are delighted to introduce the Shrek Creative Team.

Director – Jane Burt

Musical Director – Lydia Fitton

Choreographer – Beth Burrows

Producer – Rob Spurway

Find out more about each of the below. 

Jane has been involved in amateur theatre since the early 1960s, starting out as a snowdrop fairy at just four years old. Since then, she has taken part in countless productions, both on and off stage, and in recent years has turned her talents to directing.

Her award-winning production of Abigail’s Party earned the NODA South West award for Best Drama Production, and she now serves as a NODA SW Representative and Pantomime Adjudicator.

Always keen to develop her skills, Jane has trained in a wide range of theatre disciplines including puppetry, physical theatre, devised theatre, pantomime, clowning, restoration comedy, and method acting.

Thrilled to be in the Wellington Director’s chair for Shrek, she thinks that if she was a food item it would certainly have to be a fortune cookie – because she is fortunate to be part of the brilliant creative team at Wellington Operatic Society and predicts that between them, they will cook up a great show!

We are so excited to have Jane onboard and can’t wait to see her bring the world of Shrek the Musical to life! 

Lydia gained a music degree from Cardiff University and has since worked as Musical Director on a variety of productions for amateur companies, including Grease, All Shook Up, and currently Seussical. She also conducts her local community choir, the Mid Devon Singers, and teaches singing at Exeter College, Kingsmead School, and through Taunton Music Services, alongside offering private tuition in singing, piano, and violin. She also teaches singing and tap at Willow Tree Dance and Theatre Arts.

On stage, Lydia has performed in two productions of Shrek, first with Orbit Theatre Company in Cardiff and later with Willow Tree Dance and Theatre Arts in Tiverton. Now she’s thrilled to step off the stage and into the creative process behind the scenes.

If Lydia were a food, she’d be a pasta bake- reliable, warm, and great at bringing everyone together.

This marks Lydia’s debut as Musical Director with WAA, having previously played violin in the pit for our 2019 production of Annie. We’re so excited to have her back at the helm of the music team for Shrek the Musical! 

Beth grew up training in ballet, tap, modern, and jazz, and earned a Triple Distinction grade BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts at Bridgwater College. She has performed in many shows with the Wellington Arts Association, first as a dancer in her youth and later taking on lead roles as an adult.

Beth made her choreography debut with Our House for Wellington Operatic Society in 2022 and went on to choreograph last year’s award-winning pantomime Jack and The Beanstalk. She also directed last year’s musical School of Rock, which she thoroughly enjoyed, and is now excited to return in the choreography role for Shrek.

If Beth were to describe herself as a piece of food, it would have to be an apple! Round and sweet, with a crunch!

We can’t wait to see Beth bring her energy, creativity, and expertise to the stage and make Shrek the Musical move like never before! 

Rob has been involved with amateur theatre for over half his life, gaining most of his production skills through on-the-job training with Wellington Arts Association and other local theatre companies. He has held many roles within production teams and has also performed on stage in previous WAA productions, giving him the experience and insight to be an effective producer.

Rob has co-produced Shrek with Willow Tree Dance and Theatre Arts in Tiverton, where he was fortunate enough to find this year’s Musical Director! Of all the productions he has worked on, two stand out: Our House, which he directed for Wellington Operatic Society in 2022, and last year’s Jack and the Beanstalk, which won multiple awards including Best Pantomime in Somerset and Best Original Script. He was also thrilled to be asked to join the team of adjudicators for the Cinderella Trophy this year.

If Rob were to describe himself as a piece of food, it would have to be creme brûlée, a hard outer-shell with silky smooth inside! 

We are delighted to have Rob’s experience, dedication, and passion at the helm of Shrek the Musical! 

 Shrek will be performed at The Wellesley 13th-17th May 2026.

 Click the link below to register your interest in taking part. If you’ve already registered, there’s no need to do it again!

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