Shrek tour to move into London next summer

After concluding its tour Shrek the Musical is set to transfer to Hammersmith's  Eventim Apollo  for six weeks from 19th July-31st August  2024 with tickets now on sale.

The tour cast of Antony Lawrence as Shrek, Joanne Clifton as Princess Fiona, James Gillan as Lord Farquaad, Brandon Lee Sears as Donkey and Cherece Richards as Dragon will reprise their roles for the London run. The ensemble cast of Shrek the Musical will be announced in due course. 

The creative team includes acclaimed director and choreographer Nick Winston (Bonnie and Clyde, Arts Theatre; Beauty and the Beast, UK tour), co-director Sam Holmes (Club Tropicana the Musical), who returned to the swamp having played Lord Farquaad in the previous UK tour, set and costume designer Philip Witcomb (Bonnie & Clyde, Garrick Theatre; Jack & The Beanstalk, Everyman Theatre Cheltenham). Further creative team includes Ben Cracknel (lighting), Jim Arnold (casting), Ben Harrison (sound) and Nina Dunn (projection design).

Antony Lawrence plays Shrek. His previous credits include Scar in The Lion King, (International Tour) Mary Poppins (National Tour), Matilda the Musical (Cambridge Theatre/RSC) and We Will Rock You (International Arena Tour).

Joanne Clifton, best known for her time as a professional dancer on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, plays Fiona.  She joined the iconic TV show after winning the World Professional Showdance Champion and the European Professional Ballroom Championship. During her time on the show, she won the Christmas Special with McFly’s Harry Judd and went on to win the glitterball trophy as the 2016 champion with her partner Ore Oduba. On stage Joanne Clifton was most recently seen in Windfall (Southwark Playhouse) and The Addams Family (UK Tour). 

Olivier Award-nominee James Gillan (Lord Farquaad) most recently created the role of Tray in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue) – a role he stayed with through the show’s entire West End run. He has also performed in productions of Wicked, Starlight Express and Taboo!

Brandon Lee Sears (Donkey) most recently played the role of Jimmy Early in Dreamgirls (UK tour).  His previous theatre credits include the original West End productions of Be More Chill (Shaftesbury Theatre), Come From Away (Phoenix theatre); Heathers (Theatre Royal Haymarket); Motown the Musical (Shaftesbury Theatre); and On The Town (Regents Park Open Air Theatre).

Nigel Harman directing Tour of Shrek the Musical

West End star and ex EastEnders bad boy Nigel Harman is directing the tour of Shrek the Musical which kicks off at Leeds Grand next July.  Booking opens at 10:00 am this morning.

Nigel has plenty of experience with this musical having appeared as the vertically challenged and dim-witted Lord Farquaad when Shrek opened in London's West End.

He is also due to appear in the new X Factor Musical I  Can't Sing as the Simon Cowell character at the London Palladium  next February.

Nigel Harman who won a an Olivier Award for his portrayal of Lord Farquaad said: I am delighted to be returning to Shrek as its director. This show is very special to me with its dizzying blend of great characters, a hilarious script and sublime music. This production is visually stunning, and the story has the magic ingredient of moving at great pace while still being surprisingly intimate. In short, there was no way I was going to say no to the challenge of realising the production for the UK and Ireland.  I really can't wait to take this show on the road!

Legally Blonde's Carley Stenson taking over from Kimberley Walsh as Shrek’s Princess Fiona

Carley Stenson is currently playing Elle Woods in Legally Blonde at the Savoy Theatre until it closes on 7th April.  She will then take over from Kimberley Walsh as Princess Fiona in the production of Shrek the Musical at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane which has extended its booking period until 31 March 2013 releasing 389,000 for sale.

Carley Stenson is best known for her long-running part on the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks and made her West End debut as Margot in Legally Blonde.  Her other stage credits include Grease (Palace Theatre, Manchester), Summer Song (Bridgewater Hall), Remembering Diana (Her Majesty’s), Godspell (Globe Theatre, Blackpool) and Aida (Opera House, Manchester).

Girls Aloud band member  Kimberly Walsh will play her final performance as Princess Fiona on 21st May  and Stenson joins the production on 23rd May.

David Tennant Presenting Shrek TV Christmas Special

Dr Who star David Tennant is going behind the screens to narrate an hour-long special Shrek: Once Upon A Time this Christmas on BBC3 at 9:00 pm on Friday 23rd December.

 "David Tennant narrates a celebratory look at how an ogre with a Scottish accent single-handedly changed the face of animation. It features exclusive interviews with the creative geniuses behind the award-winning animation and the voices that brought the story to life, including Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, Jennifer Saunders and Shrek himself, Mike Myers."

You can see Shrek the Musical at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane where it is booking until October 21st 2012.

Another bad boy from EastEnders to join Shrek cast

Nigel Lindsay, Nigel Harman and Kimberley Walsh will all be leaving Shrek the Musical on 27th February 2012.

From 29th February the part of Shrek will be played by Dean Chisnall who is currently understudying Nigel Lindsay in the title role and Neil McDermott (pictured) will play Lord Farquaad. He is another EastEnder who played bad boy Ryan Malloy in the soap. His stage credits include La Cage aux Folles at the Menier Chocolate Factory, Follies at London Palladium and The Sound of Music at the London Palladium.

The new Princess Fiona who is currently being played by Girls Aloud star Kimberley Walsh, is still to be confirmed.

Kimberley Walsh taking over from Amanda Holden in Shrek

Shrek the Musical is currently playing at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane with Amanda Holden playing the part of Princess Fiona.

Sadly Amanda suffered a miscarriage earlier this year,  but the good news is that she is now three months pregnant and expecting a baby girl.  Very sensibly she is taking no chances so will be leaving Shrek two months earlier than planned on 3rd October with Kimberley Walsh from Girls Aloud taking over her role from 5th October.

Amanda will also be reducing her number of performances with Alice Fearn playing Princess Fiona at Thursday  and Saturday matinees.

Musical Shrektacular

Next Friday, 15th July Friday Night is Music Night on Radio 2 welcomes the cast from the musical Shrek! with its stars Nigel Lindsay, Richard Blackwood, Nigel Harman and Amanda Holden.

The show is on from 20:00-22:00 and celebrates the finest music from animated films old and new with numbers from Shrek, Madagascar, Prince of Egypt and Chicken Run plus many more.

Shrek, Donkey, Lord Farquaad and Princess Fiona  share the hosting duties from London's Hackney Empire and are joined by the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Richard Balcombe.

Shrek's donkey Richard Blackwood on the way out?

The rumours concerning the departure of  Richard Blackwood  from Shrek the Musical seem to be getting stronger and stronger. The show is currently previewing at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane and due to open a week today on 14th June.

Blackwood is playing Donkey and has received strong criticism of his acting and singing skills. It was always a bit of risky casting for such an integral role as Blackwood’s background shows a distinct lack of musical theatre credits (none) which could be the contributing factor.

The instinctive and original performance that came across as his audition does not seem to have transferred to the stage

If the producers are going to make a change they are likely to do it before press night.

Watch this space ….

Shrek cast to appear on Britain’s Got Talent

If you want to hear the cast of Shrek the Musical singing their classic hit “I’m A Believer” tune into Britain’s Got Talent results show on Tuesday 31st May ITV1 at 9:45pm.  The show is previewing at the moment and due to open at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 14th June.

Ant and Dec are hosting the second live semi-final when eight acts perform in front of a live studio audience and judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Michael McIntyre and David Hasselhoff.

Amanda Holden is playing Princess Fiona in Shrek and said: "I think one of the most important things when you‘re on a show like Britain's Got Talent and judging other people, is to be willing to stand on the stage and put your own self up for judgment. Next Tuesday, the audience along with my TV colleagues Simon, Michael and the Hoff will be sitting in judgment of me. I‘m just praying they don‘t use their buzzers!"

Full cast breakdown for Shrek the Musical

The new musical Shrek starring Nigel Lindsay (Shrek), Richard Blackwood (Donkey), Nigel Harman (Lord Farquaad) and Amanda Holden as Princess Fiona had its first preview at Drury Lane last night.  There are quite a few more as the show does not have its opening night until 14th June.

The full cast breakdown is now available and joining the main characters above are Landi Oshinowo (Dragon, Humpty Dumpty), Jonathan Stewart (Pinocchio, Dragon Puppeteer), Jon Scott Clark (Peter Pan, Dragon Puppeteer), Lucy Tapp (Queen Lillian, Wicked Witch), Karli Vale (Fairy Godmother, Bluebird), Alice Fearn (Sugar Plum Fairy, Gingy), Bradley Jaden (Papa Bear), Emma Lindars (Mama Ogre, Mama Bear) and Delroy Artkinson (White Rabbit, Bishop) with  Michelle Francis (Tweedle Dee, Blind Mouse), Amy Beadel (Tweedle Dum, Teen Fiona), Dean Chisnall (Papa Ogre, Pig, Theloni, Knight), Ste Clough (Guard, Dragon Puppeteer), Ross Dawes (King Harold Wolf, Captain of the Guard, Pied Piper, Knight), Lucie Downer (Baby Bear, Blind Mouse), Ashley E Hale (Ugly Duckling, Blind Mouse), Aaron Lee Lambert (Pig, Knight), Stuart Matthew Price (Pig, Walter, Knight), Damien Poole (Mad Hatter, Dragon Puppeteer), Samantha Allison/Chorlene Biron-Monnier/Lauren Dawes /Madeleine Hill/Emilia Jones/Sophie Whyte (Young Fiona, Young Shrek, Dwarf), Stephanie Bron/Rosanna Hyland/Leigh-Anne Stone (Swing), Spencer O’Brien/Michael Watson/Lee William-Davis (Swing), Grant Murphy (Swing, Dance Captain) and Jacqui Sanchez (Swing, Puppet Captain)

Latest news on Shrek! the Musical rehearsals

I’ve just been listening to Michael Ball’s Sunday Brunch on BBC Radio 2 where he was talking to Nigel Lindsay (Shrek) and Richard Blackwood (Donkey) from Shrek! the Musical which starts previews at the Theatre Royal Drury  Lane on 1st May and opens on 7th June.

The musical is based on the first Shrek movie.  They are three weeks into rehearsal with two directors - Jason Moore has just done first 3 weeks and Rob Ashford is due in on Monday.

Nigel Lindsay has only done one musical before playing Nathan Detroit in Guys & Dolls with Nigel Harman (Lord Farquaad) as Sky Masterson. And he is certainly taking a lot on with this role as the part of Shrek involves him spending 1 ½ hours in prosthetics every night, plus he has to wear massive fat suit which has caused guy who is doing US tour to lose three stone!

Nigel Harman (whose character Lord Farquaad is described as dim-witted and vertically challenged) has to do the whole show on his knees (including dance numbers), so I hope he has some good protectors!

Richard Blackwood (who sounds incredibly like Eddie Murphy) never done a musical before and says he is currently in complete awe of ensemble because they are so good. I think he is selling himself short as his natural off the wall personality  sounds perfect for donkey to me.

Because of its complexities the show has a 2 ½ week technical with the huge dragon operated in same way as the War Horse with guys from ensemble who manoeuvre it being taught by people from that show.

Nigel Lindsay and Richard Blackwood came across as a strong double act on Michael Ball’s show sparking off one another all the time.  This is good as the show relies a lot on the chemistry/relationship between Donkey and Shrek.

I have to say I’m not the biggest fan of the Shrek movies but am really looking forward to seeing this.

Nigel Harman and Amanda Holden from Shrek on Michael Ball’s Sunday Brunch this weekend

Nigel Harman (Lord Farquaad), Nigel Lindsay (Shrek), Amanda Holden (Princess Fiona) and Richard Blackwood (Donkey) are the principal members of the cast in the new musical Shrek which is due to open at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 7th June (previews from 1st May).

They are in rehearsal at the moment, but you can get some up to the minute news when they all guest on Michael Ball’s Sunday Brunch which is live on 3rd April on BBC Radio2 between 11:00 and 1:00.

Landi Oshinowo playing the Dragon in Shrek the Musical

Although they are deep into rehearsal and due to open next month, the full cast list for Shrek the Musical has been released but there is no casting breakdown as yet.

However I have been very reliably informed that the excellent Landi Oshinowo is playing the part of the Dragon. She was last seen in the West End in Sister Act often going on for the lead role of Deloris. 

Landi’s other musical theatre credits include the Blues Brothers, Dancing in the Street, Sweet Soul Music and the Rock Opera Tommy playing the Acid Queen.

Full Cast for Shrek the Musical at Drury Lane

Shrek the Musical opens at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane on 7th June (previews from 1st May).

The full cast has just been announced.  Joining Nigel Lindsay as Shrek, Richard Blackwood as Donkey, Amanda Holden as Princess Fiona and Nigel Harman as Lord Farquaad will be a company of 33 performers.

They include Delroy Atkinson, Amy Beadel, Stephanie Bron, Dean Chisnall, Jon-Scott Clark, Ste Clough, Lee William-Davis, Ross Dawes, Lucie Downer, Alice Fearn, Michelle Francis, Ashley E Hale, Rosanna Hyland, Bradley Jaden, Aaron Lee Lambert, Emma Lindars, Grant Murphy, Spencer O'Brien, Landi Oshinowo, Damien Poole, Stuart Matthew Price, Jacqui Sanchez, Jonathan Stewart, Leigh-Anne Stone, Lucy Tapp, Karli Vale and Michael Watson.

The roles of Young Shrek and Young Fiona will be shared by Samantha Allison, Chorlène Biron-Monnier, Lauren Dawes, Madeleine Hill, Emilia Jones and Sophie Wythe.

Shrek's Amanda Holden pregnant

Amanda Holden has just announced on her Twitter account that she is six months pregnant and expecting a boy. 

Great news and good timing as if the baby is due in March she will just about be able to start rehearsals in time to appear as Princess Fiona in Shrek the Musical when it starts previews on 1st May.

 She has also said taht she will still be doing Britain's Got Talent and Shrek the Musical!

Launch of Shrek the Musical

Shrek - The Musical  was officially launched yesterday at the Haymarket Hotel. It is due to open at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane on 7th June 2011 (previews from 1st May).

The main principals have been cast with Richard Blackwood as Donkey, Nigel Lindsay as Shrek, Amanda Holden as Princess Fiona and Nigel Harman as Lord Farquaad. It was the first time the main cast members had all been together with rehearsals due to start in March.

Composer Jeanine Tesori and lyric and book writer David Lindsay-Abaire performed numbers from the show which has been extensively revamped since its Broadway debut in 2008 and US tour.  Numbers performed were the show’s opening "Big Bright Beautiful World" and "I Know It's Today". They were then joined by Carrie Compere who plays the Dragon in the UK tour to perform "Forever”.

Further casting is still to be announced for the West End production.

You can buy tickets for Shrek the Musical by clicking on the link

Amanda Holden’s look as Princess Fiona in Shrek?

The usually very glamorous and highly groomed Amanda Holden threw dignity to the wind and posted the picture on the left on Twitter earlier this week

Her face has been digitally stretched to portray  the image of the green and grumpy giant Princess Fiona which she will play opposite Nigel Lindsay in the musical Shrek opening at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane next year,

Tickets have just gone on sale for Shrek the Musical and it promises to be a “must see” with the new tour receiving  rave reviews in the States and the West End production receiving more tweaks and featuring new songs and extra scenes.


Buy tickets for Shrek the Musical here

Shrek the Musical Tickets on sale today

Tickets for the new musical Shrek which is opening at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane on 7th June 2011 (previews from 1st May) go on sale today for a booking period up until 19th February 2012.

It stars Nigel Lindsay as Shrek,   Richard Blackwood as Donkey, Amanda Holden as Princess Fiona and   Nigel Harman as  the dim-wittted Lord Farquaad.

Amanda Holden not being axed from Britain's Got Talent. She is appearing in Shrek the musical!

According to today’s Mirror,  Amanda Holden is facing the axe in a shake-up of Britain’s Got Talent next year with comics Peter Kay and Paul O’Grady on Simon Cowell’s “wish list” for judges.

Simon Cowell has already announced he is quitting the show to concentrate on the launch of the US version of X Factor next year and Piers Morgan it over from Larry King to host his own chat show in America.

What the Mirror is forgetting is that Amanda will not available next year as she is playing Princess Fiona in the new blockbuster musical Shrek which opens at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in May.

With the tweaking of the US tour that is going on, rumours coming from New York and strong cast that is being assembled here,  this show is set to become a “must see” in London’s West End.  I think Amanda is very wise to opt for trading the boards again as if Messrs Kay and O’Grady are judges it will be very hard to find a female judge to hold her own with them – and ironically Miss Holden is one lady who could have coped admirably!

Latest News on Shrek the Musical

When Shrek the Musical opens at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane next May it will undergo a huge refit.  The show has just completed a run in Chicago and is already much improved than when it ran on Broadway.

Shrek the Musical casting so far is Nigel Lindsay playing the green ogre, Nigel Harman as dim witted Lord Farquaad, Amanda Holden as feisty Princess Fiona and Richard Blackwood as Donkey.

The show's two directors are working closely with David Lindsay-Abaire (who wrote the book and lyrics) and composer Jeanine Tesori to get Shrek ready for its West End opening. They are planning to introduce new characters which are more recognisable in the UK like Humpty Dumpty and the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland.

If it all works sounds like it could be a “must see” in London.  Tickets go on sale from 1st October.