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And even skin protection is important. I have a facial every two weeks and have a very strict skin regime every day both before and after the show – I have Dermalogica products coming out of my ears!
I just have to take care of myself, I don’t drink alcohol and I have a lot of sleep.
A lot of effort goes into a performance and doing eight shows a week.
But this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and it’s an easy sacrifice to make for a year.
Q AI don’t really have any superstitions but I have noticed there are certain things I do as I’m getting into a routine.
I always put my left shoe on before my right, I always have music on from the quarter-hour call and I usually leave the dressing room at two minutes before the show.
Don’t ask me why! I just always wait to 58 minutes or 28 minutes past on the clock.
Q AI got the job in spring last year, then we had a six month wait before we started.
I actually watched it the night I got the job and I haven’t watched it since because I wanted to put my own take on it.
We do expand on it from the film and the musical, with a backstory of Shrek’s family and Shrek’s younger days, the same for Fiona as well, so it really is my own take on Shrek which is important.
You do have to respect the film and what Mike Myers did and I think that’s what we’ve done with the costume and make-up, when the audience come to see the show they expect to see Shrek and the characters they recognise in the films.
It’s definitely my own take but the film is a very good guide.
Q AI’m originally from mid Wales, the son of a farmer and a doctor, and I’m still very close to the area and my family, it’s very important to me and I try to visit as much as I can.
I went to primary and high school in Llanfair Caereinion (in Powys), I completed my education there and I’m a fluent Welsh speaker.
The Welsh language is extremely important to me and I try to perform in Welsh whenever there is the opportunity.
I lived there from when I was born to age 17 when I left for drama school at Guildford School of Acting.
I first started acting in the Eisteddfod when I was six years old which I loved.
Nowadays I go back home any chance I get. I always go for lambing season but this year I’ll miss it completely because I’m touring.
It will be the first time I’ve not been able to help and I feel a bit guilty but I’m working hard here as well and my family know that.
Shrek the Musical is visiting the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff from April 10 to 22 and Venue Cymru, Llandudno from August 21 to September 2. Visit wmc.org. uk or call 029 2063 6464. Or visit venuecymru.co.uk or call 01492 872 000.