Photos: Shrek The Musical – first photos and rehearsals

First production photos released of Shrek The Musical, which starts previews tonight, 6 May 2011, at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

The major new DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions show is based on DreamWorks’ hit animated movie franchise and stars Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden as Princess Fiona, Nigel Lindsay (Four Lions) as Shrek, comedian Richard Blackwood as Donkey andNigel Harman (EastEnders) as Lord Farquaad.

The show officially opens on 14 June 2011.

Other members of the cast 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 London stage musical, which previously played on Broadway and in Toronto and is currently on a US tour, is based on the irreverent fairy tale from William Steig’s book Shrek and the Oscar-winning Dreamworks Animation film, and tells the story of the swamp-dwelling ogre who embarks on a life-changing adventure in order to reclaim the deed to his land.

The creative team behind the show includes directors Jason Moore (Avenue Q) and Rob Ashford (Promises, Promises), with book and lyrics by Pulitzer Prize winner David Lindsay-Abaire, music by Olivier Award winner Jeanine Tesori, scenic, costume and puppet design by Tim Hatley, lighting by Hugh Vanstone, sound design by Peter Hylenski and choreography by Josh Prince.

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More news on Shrek The Musical

New shows opening in the West End this week

What’s opening in the West End this week including Bette & Joan, Shrek The Musical and Shakespeare’s Globe.

NEW SHOWS OPENING 2 – 8 MAY

Bette & Joan starts previews at the Arts Theatre in London on Thursday 5 May. The show stars Anita Dobson and Greta Scacchi in the world premiere of Anton Burge’s new play about the long-running feud between Hollywood movie stars Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. Bette & Joan is directed by Bill Alexander and runs at the Arts Theatre until 25 June.

Also on the 5 May, Shakespeare’s Globe kicks off its 2011 season with a new production of All’s Well That Ends Well starring Janie Dee and directed by John Dove. Plus a new production of Edward Albee’s A Delicate Balance starts previews at the Almeida, directed by James Macdonald and featuring an all-star cast including Penelope Wilton, Lucy Cohu, Imelda Staunton and Tim Pigott-Smith.

Friday 6 May sees major new DreamWorks show Shrek The Musical start previews at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Everyone’s favourite ogre is brought to life in this massive new musical based on the Oscar-winning film. A high-profile cast includes Amanda Holden as Princess Fiona, Richard Blackwood as Donkey, Nigel Lindsay as Shrek and Nigel Harman as Lord Farqaard.

AND CLOSING….

The Children’s Hour ends its run at the Comedy Theatre on Saturday 7 May. Also closing on Saturday is the Pulitzer prize winning play Clybourne Park at the Wyndham’s Theatre. SMASH! finishes at the Menier Chocolate Factory on Sunday 8 May.

OPENING IN ONE WEEK

Zoe Wanamaker stars in The Cherry Orchard at the National Theatre from 10 May. Also on the 10th, the new cast of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Love Never Dies get their official first night at the Adelphi Theatre, as David Thaxton, Celia Graham and Haley Flaherty join the cast of the show. Over at the Garrick Theatre Rupert Everett, Kara Tointon and Diana Rigg start previews of George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion from 12 May. Shrek The Musical gets its official first night at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 14 May.

OPENING IN TWO WEEKS

Much Ado About Nothing starring David Tennant and Catherine Tate starts previews at the Wyndham’s Theatre from 16 May, and Shakespeare’s Globe follows on 21 May with another production of the same play but starring Nurse Jackie’s Eve Best. On the 19 May the Open Air Theatre in Regent’s Park kicks off its 2011 summer season with William Golding’s Lord of the Flies.

LATER IN MAY

Kristin Soctt Thomas leads the cast of Harold Pinter’s Betrayal at the Comedy Theatre from 27 May in a new production directed by Ian Rickson, also starring Douglas Henshall and Ben Miles.

Shrek The Musical & The Prince’s Foundation For Children & The Arts Announce A Royal Gala Performance In The Presence Of Hrh The Prince Of Wales

TICKETS ON SALE TODAY

THE ROYAL GALA MARKS THE START OF AN ONGOING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE NEW STAGE MUSICAL AND CHILDREN & THE ARTS

SHREK THE MUSICAL® and The Prince’s Foundation for Children & the Arts today announced that a Royal Gala performance will be held on Wednesday 8 June at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, President of The Prince’s Foundation for Children & the Arts, will attend this special performance, hosted by Jeffrey Katzenberg, Chief Executive Officer of DreamWorks Animation SKG, which will be in support of Children & the Arts.

Tickets are now on sale. Prices start from £20. To book online visit www.shrekthemusical.co.uk

The Royal Gala performance marks the beginning of an ongoing relationship between DreamWorks and Children & the Arts. The cast, creative team and producers of SHREK THE MUSICAL® will work closely with Children & the Arts to jointly develop a new educational project that aims to introduce young people to the art of musical theatre and to encourage participation in all aspects of production.

‘We’re absolutely delighted to have a Royal Gala performance in the presence of our President, His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales for possibly the year’s most anticipated West End opening.

But this is much more than just a single performance. This is the start of an exciting joint effort between Children & the Arts and SHREK THE MUSICAL, where we will combine our knowledge and experience to run activities that will inspire, challenge and develop those children who have had very little access to the arts.’ – Jeremy Newton, Chief Executive, The Prince’s Foundation for Children & the Arts.

“DreamWorks is thrilled to bring Shrek The Musical to London’s West End and we are honored to welcome His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales to the Gala performance at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on the 8th of June,” commented Jeffrey Katzenberg, Chief Executive Officer of DreamWorks Animation. “We look forward to further extending DreamWorks’ relationship with Children & The Arts on an educational program that focuses on the development of core musical theatre skills, which we hope will contribute to the Foundation’s commendable work for years to come.”

Children & the Arts champions the power of the arts to transform lives and strives towards a future where all children in the UK gain access to the arts. The Charity reaches out to the many children who, through social or economic disadvantage, are denied access to cultural venues and to high-quality arts activity. They have worked with over 100,000 children since 2006, and hope to substantially increase this figure over the next few years.

Further information on the education collaboration between Children & the Arts and SHREK THE MUSICAL® will be announced in the next few weeks.

SHREK THE MUSICAL® opens at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane on June 14 2011 (previews from May 6) starring Nigel Lindsay as Shrek, Richard Blackwood as Donkey, Nigel Harman as Lord Farquaad and Amanda Holden as Princess Fiona. Produced by DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions, the new stage musical is based on the story and characters from William Steig’s book Shrek! and the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation feature film Shrek, the first chapter in the series of irreverent fairy tales.

The Anglo-American creative team is led by directors Jason Moore and Rob Ashford and includes David Lindsay-Abaire (Book and Lyrics), Jeanine Tesori (Music), Tim Hatley (Scenic, Costume and Puppet Design), Hugh Vanstone (Lighting Design), Peter Hylenski (Sound Design), and Josh Prince (Choreography).
Tickets for the Royal Gala and all other performances are now on sale.
For more information about The Prince’s Foundation for Children & the Arts please visit www.childrenandarts.org.uk

Release issued by: The Corner Shop PR

LINKS

Book tickets to the Shrek The Musical Royal Gala in aid of the Prince’s Foundation for Children and the Arts

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Shrek The Musical announces full cast

Shrek The Musical, which opens at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane from 6 May 2011, has announced the full cast of the show.

Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden will star as Princess Fiona, with stage actor Nigel Lindsay (Four Lions) as Shrek, comedian Richard Blackwood as Donkey and TV actor Nigel Harman (EastEnders) as Lord Farquaad.

Produced by DreamWorks Theatricals and Sam Mendes’ Neal Street Productions, the show will begin previews at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 6 May 2011, with its opening night on 7 June.

Other members of the cast 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 London stage musical is based on the irreverent fairy tale from William Steig’s book Shrek and the Oscar-winning Dreamworks Animation film, and tells the story of the swamp-dwelling ogre who embarks on a life-changing adventure in order to reclaim the deed to his land.

The creative team behind the show includes directors Jason Moore (Avenue Q) and Rob Ashford (Promises, Promises), with book and lyrics by Pulitzer Prize winner David Lindsay-Abaire, music by Olivier Award winner Jeanine Tesori, scenic, costume and puppet design by Tim Hatley, lighting by Hugh Vanstone, sound design by Peter Hylenski and choreography by Josh Prince.

Book tickets to Shrek The Musical at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Shrek The Musical – Full Casting Announcement

NIGEL LINDSAY, RICHARD BLACKWOOD, NIGEL HARMAN AND AMANDA HOLDEN ARE JOINED BY A COMPANY OF 33

DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions are delighted to announce full casting for the West End production of SHREK THE MUSICAL®.

Opening at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane on May 6, 2011, SHREK THE MUSICAL® will star Nigel Lindsay as Shrek, Richard Blackwood as Donkey, Nigel Harman as Lord Farquaad and Amanda Holden as Princess Fiona. The company will also 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 actors Samantha Allison, Chorlène Biron-Monnier, Lauren Dawes, Madeleine Hill, Emilia Jones and Sophie Wythe.

Produced by DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions, SHREK THE MUSICAL® is based on the story and characters from William Steig’s book Shrek! and the Oscar®-winning DreamWorks Animation feature film Shrek, the first chapter in the series of irreverent fairy tales.

Tickets for the new stage musical are now on sale for performances until February 19, 2012.

SHREK THE MUSICAL® tells the story of the swamp-dwelling ogre who embarks on a life-changing adventure in order to reclaim the deed to his land. Joined by a wise-cracking donkey who won’t shut up, this unlikely hero fights a fearsome dragon, rescues the feisty Princess Fiona and learns that real friendship and true love aren’t only found in fairy tales. With all-new songs, and an old favourite in I’m a Believer, this spectacular stage musical brings to life the original film’s cast of dysfunctional characters and the accompanying subversive fun.

The Anglo-American creative team is led by directors Jason Moore and Rob Ashford and includes David Lindsay-Abaire (Book and Lyrics), Jeanine Tesori (Music), 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®, winning Tim Hatley the Tony for Best Costume Design of a Musical. A production opened in Chicago on July 25, 2010 and is touring 60 cities in the United States.

LISTINGS INFORMATION:
SHREK THE MUSICAL®
Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5JF
May 6, 2011 – February 19, 2012
Press Night: June 14, 2011
Box Office: 0844 871 8810
To Book online visit: www.shrekthemusical.co.uk
Performance Times:
Monday, Wednesday – Saturday 7.30pm
Thursday & Saturday 3pm
Sunday 3pm

Ticket Prices:
Stalls £65, £55, £25
Grand Circle £65
Upper Circle £55, £45, £20
Balcony £25, £20

Reduced price preview tickets available.

Owing to her commitment to ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent Amanda Holden will not appear in performances between Monday 30 May and Sunday 5 June inclusive.

Group Rates:
6+ Group Rate £45 (excludes Saturday Performances)
12+ Group Rate £39.50 (excludes Saturday Performances)
Group Bookings: 0844 412 4650
Education Rates:
12+ School Group Rate £22.50 & Free Teacher Place (valid Monday- Thursday)
Education Bookings: 0844 412 4649
Press night is on June 14, 2011.

Release issued by: The Corner Shop

LINKS

Book tickets to Shrek The Musical at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane

VIDEO: Shrek the Musical® at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Everyone’s favourite ogre is brought to life when Shrek The Musical®, based on the Oscar-winning film, hits the London stage starring Amanda Holden, Richard Blackwood, Nigel Lindsay and Nigel Harman.

Book tickets to Shrek the Musical®
More information about the show
More information about the Theatre Royal Drury Lane

VIDEO

Shrek the Musical® at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane

VIDEO

Shrek the Musical® at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane

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Watch more videos on West End Theatre TV

Shrek The Musical tickets at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane starring Kimberley Walsh

Everyone’s favourite ogre is brought to life when Shrek The Musical®, based on the Oscar-winning film, hits the London stage starring Kimberley Walsh, Richard Blackwood, Nigel Lindsay and Nigel Harman.

Produced by DreamWorks Theatricals and Sam Mendes’ Neal Street Productions, the show will open at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in May 2011, with its opening night on 7 June.

An all-star cast includes Nigel Lindsay as Shrek, Girls Aloud’s Kimberley Walsh as Princess Fiona, Richard Blackwood as the Donkey and Nigel Harman as Lord Farquaad.

Shrek The Musical is part romance, part twisted fairy tale and all irreverent fun for everyone! In a faraway kingdom turned upside down, things get ugly when an unseemly ogre — not a handsome prince — shows up to rescue a feisty princess. Throw in a donkey who won’t shut up, a bad guy with a SHORT temper, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you’ve got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there’s one on hand…and his name is Shrek.

Shrek The Musical originally opened on Broadway in December 2008 and was nominated for eight Tony Awards. Now a brand new production is coming to London full of all-new songs, great dancing and breathtaking scenery.

The London stage musical is based on the irreverent fairy tale from William Steig’s book Shrek and the Oscar-winning Dreamworks Animation film. The creative team includes directors Jason Moore (Avenue Q) and Rob Ashford (Promises, Promises), with book and lyrics by Pulitzer Prize winner David Lindsay-Abaire, music by Olivier Award winner Jeanine Tesori, scenic, costume and puppet design by Tim Hatley, lighting by Hugh Vanstone, sound design by Peter Hylenski and choreography by Josh Prince.

The musical will be produced in London by DreamWorks Theatricals’ Bill Damaschke and Mendes’ Neal Street Productions under Caro Newling.

Book tickets to Shrek The Musical at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane

NIGEL HARMAN in Shrek The Musical

EastEnders hunk Nigel Harman joins Shrek

2011 is going to be a big year for big musicals, with The Wizard of Oz opening in March, and the UK premiere of Shrek The Musical making its way to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in May.

Lucky then for Nigel Harman, who has been cast as Lord Farquaad in the mega-musical that is sure to be a huge hit with West End audiences.

Best known for playing heart-throb Dennis Rickman in BBC1’s EastEnders, Nigel has also worked extensively in theatre, with roles including Three Days of Rain at the Apollo, Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls at the Piccadilly Theatre and on tour, True West at the Sheffield Crucible and Privates on Parade at the Donmar Warehouse.

In addition to EastEnders, TV and film roles include BBC1’s Hotel Babylon and Blood Diamond.

In Shrek The Musical he will be joined by Nigel Lindsay as Shrek, Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden as Princess Fiona and Richard Blackwood as the Donkey.

The forthcoming DreamWorks production of Shrek The Musical®, based on the Oscar-winning film, opens at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London on 7 June 2011.

Book tickets to SHREK THE MUSICAL at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane

AMANDA HOLDEN in Shrek The Musical

Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden gets regal in Shrek

Amanda Holden, the TV and stage actress and judge on ITV’s variety show Britain’s Got Talent, will star in the forthcoming DreamWorks production of Shrek The Musical, based on the Oscar-winning film.

Playing Princess Fiona, the down-to-earth and independent heroine of the show, Shrek The Musical opens at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London on 7 June 2011, with previews from May 2011.

Holden has a theatrical background, having trained at Mountview Theatre School and appeared in stage roles including Millie Dillmount in Thoroughly Modern Mille at the Shaftsbury Theatre and Liesl Von Trapp in a touring production of The Sound of Music. Her numerous TV credits include Suspicious Circumstances opposite Edward Woodward, Eastenders, Mel in Kiss Me Kate, The Grimleys, Wild At Heart, Cutting It  and Big Top.

In Shrek The Musical, Amanda will be joined by Nigel Lindsay as Shrek, Richard Blackwood as the Donkey and Nigel Harman as Lord Farquaad.

Book tickets to SHREK THE MUSICAL at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Nigels Lindsay and Harman join Shrek

Producers of the big-budget new production of Shrek The Musical, which is in pre-production for its West End launch in June 2011, have announced two further additions to the cast.

Nigel Lindsay will play the title role of Shrek in the much-anticipated West End stage production of the hit DreamWorks movie. Lindsay’s credits include movie Four Lions , the original National Theatre production of Dealer’s Choice and Nathan Detroit in Michael Grandage’s 1995 production of Guys and Dolls at the Piccadilly Theatre.

Another Nigel, TV and stage star Nigel Harman, has been cast as Lord Farquaad. Best known for playing Dennis in EastEnders, his numerous stage credits include Sky Masterson alongside Nigel Lindsay in Guys and Dolls, Harold Pinter’s The Caretaker, Three Days of Rain at the Apollo Theatre and True West at the Sheffield Crucible.

They will join Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden as Princess Fiona and Richard Blackwood as the Donkey.

The forthcoming DreamWorks production of Shrek The Musical®, based on the Oscar-winning film, opens at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London on 7 June 2011.

Shrek The Musical originally opened on Broadway in December 2008 and was nominated for eight Tony Awards. It closed in January this year after a relatively short run, although is now on a major tour of the USA. A number of changes have been made to the touring – and forthcoming London version – of the show, including a new opening, new songs, improved magic and illusions, a newly styled dragon and more emphasis on giving the show “heart”.

The London stage musical is based on the irreverent fairy tale from William Steig’s book Shrek and the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film. The creative team includes directors Jason Moore (Avenue Q) and Rob Ashford (Promises, Promises), with book and lyrics by Pulitzer Prize winner David Lindsay-Abaire, music by Olivier Award winner Jeanine Tesori, scenic, costume and puppet design by Tim Hatley, lighting by Hugh Vanstone, sound design by Peter Hylenski and choreography by Josh Prince.

The show is the first stage venture for DreamWorks Animation’s theatrical arm and was originally initiated as a project by award-winning director Sam Mendes. The musical will be produced in London by DreamWorks Theatricals’ Bill Damaschke and Mendes’ Neal Street Productions under Caro Newling.

Drury Lane is currently home to Oliver!, which will close at the theatre on 8 January 2011.

Book tickets to SHREK THE MUSICAL at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane

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