Shrek The Musical at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane

A round-up of reviews of Shrek The Musical at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane starring Amanda Holden, Nigel Lindsay and Nigel Harman. [caption id="" align="alignright" width="240" caption="Richard Blackwood, Nigel Lindsay and Amanda Holden in Shrek The Musical"][/caption] Riding on the success of Disney's venture into stage entertainment, DreamWorks has followed suite, turning their hugely successful Shrek movie franchise into a big new stage musical. The show 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 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. See a round-up of Shrek The Musical reviews, below. LINKS Book tickets to Shrek The Musical at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London

SHREK THE MUSICAL’S GOT TALENT! CAST TO PERFORM LIVE ON ITV’S BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT You better believe it, on Tuesday May 31 the cast of SHREK THE MUSICAL®, including Amanda Holden as Princess Fiona, will perform live on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent. In a Britain’s Got Talent first, judge Amanda Holden will swap the safety of the judging panel for the stage, joining her SHREK THE MUSICAL® co-stars for a live performance of classic hit, I’m a Believer. Amanda 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!” SHREK THE MUSICAL® is currently previewing at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and officially opens on June 14, 2011. A Royal Gala performance of SHREK THE MUSICAL® will be held June 8, 2011 in aid of The Prince's Foundation for Children & the Arts. 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 original DreamWorks Animation feature film Shrek, the first chapter in the series of irreverent fairy tales. Tickets for the new stage musical are on sale for performances until February 19, 2012. Owing to the live performance on Britain’s Got Talent, the 7.30pm performance of SHREK THE MUSICAL® on Monday June 6 will be cancelled. Release issued by: The Corner Shop LINKS Book tickets to Shrek The Musical at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London

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. LINKS More news on Shrek The Musical

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 [caption id="" align="alignright" width="140"] Anita Dobson and Greta Scacchi in Bette & Joan[/caption] 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. [caption id="" align="alignright" width="140"] The cast of Shrek the Musical[/caption] 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 [caption id="" align="alignright" width="140"] Zoe Wanamaker in The Cherry Orchard[/caption] 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.

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 Book tickets to Shrek The Musical

Shrek The Musical, which opens at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane from 6 May 2011, has announced the full cast of the show. [caption id="" align="alignright" width="240" caption="Shrek The Musical"][/caption] 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

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

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 httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WpOLfRud6s VIDEO Shrek the Musical® at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MU2nfi5X3E4 LINKS Watch more videos on West End Theatre TV

Everyone's favourite ogre will be brought to life next year when SHREK THE MUSICAL®, based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks film, hits the London stage. [caption id="" align="alignright" width="240"] Poster for the forthcoming US tour of Shrek the Musical[/caption] Produced by DreamWorks Theatricals and Sam Mendes' Neal Street Productions, the show will open at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in May 2011. Drury Lane is currently home to Oliver!, which will close at the theatre on 8 January 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 about to start a major tour of the USA, starting at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago on 13 July starring Eric Petersen, Haven Burton and Alan Mingo, Jr. A number of changes will be made to the 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. Neal Street Productions is also behind a number of high-profile new London theatre projects including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Current shows include the Mendes'-directed As You Like It and The Tempest at the Old Vic Theatre. Official casting information will be released soon. MORE ABOUT THE SHOW: Shrek The Musical is about a swamp-dwelling ogre in a faraway kingdom, who embarks on a life-changing adventure in order to reclaim the deed to his land. This unlikely hero is joined on his quest by a wise-cracking donkey who won't shut up, and has to fight a fearsome dragon, rescue feisty Princess Fiona and learn that real friendship and true love aren't only found in fairy tales. The final Shrek feature film in the series, Shrek Forever After, is on general release in the UK from today. LINKS Book tickets to Shrek The Musical at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane Book tickets to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane