Complete Casting, Opening Date Announced for West End Shrek the Musical

Casting is complete for the forthcoming London production of Shrek the Musical, which will include previously announced stars Nigel Lindsay in the title role, Amanda Holden as Princess Fiona, Nigel Harman as Lord Farquaad and Richard Blackwood as Donkey. The show will begin performances on May 6 at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and open on June 14, directed by Jason Moore and Rob Ashford. Tickets are on sale through February 19, 2012.

The Shrek company will 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.

Based on William Steig’s book and the Academy Award-winning Dreamworks film, Shrek the Musical tells the story of a swamp-dwelling ogre who embarks on an adventure alongside a wise-cracking donkey to save Princess Fiona and a land of fairytale creatures from the reign of the vertically challenged Lord Farquaad.

Shrek features a score by Jeanine Tesori and book by David Lindsay-Abaire. The Anglo-American creative team includes Tim Hatley (scenic, costume and puppet design), Hugh Vanstone (lighting design), Peter Hylenski (sound design) and Josh Prince (choreography).

Shrek the Musical played on Broadway from December 2008 to January 2010 and was nominated for eight Tony Awards. The national tour opened in Chicago on July 25, 2010, and will play 60 cities.