Christmas Shrek

Shrek swamps Playhouse for Xmas season

A new tour of Shrek the Musical will open at the Edinburgh Playhouse for the Christmas 2017/18 season before heading off around the UK.

The 2018 tour is booked through to May, visiting Manchester, Sunderland, Birmingham, Aberdeen, Northampton, Stoke and Blackpool – with further dates to be announced. The show last appeared at the Playhouse in October 2015.

Dean Chisnall (Shrek) Bronté Barbé (Princess Fiona) and Idriss Kargbo (Donkey) in the 2015 tour. Credit Helen Maybanks

Direction of the tour will once again be from Nigel Harman. After originating the role of Lord Farquaad in the West End production, for which he won an Olivier for best supporting role in a musical, the tour was his directorial debut.

Unlikely hero Shrek and his loyal steed Donkey embark on a quest to rescue the beautiful (if slightly temperamental) Princess Fiona from a fire-breathing, love-sick dragon. On their way they fall foul of the diminutive Lord Farquaad, a gang of fairytale misfits and a biscuit with attitude.

In short, this is the DreamWorks animated movie of 2001 given the musical treatment. In our review of the 2015 visit we said that, like the original, the musical has just the right balance of potty-level humour, genuine emotion and a comfortable happy ending to both suck in the cynical and deliver a family, feel-good show.

fun

Nigel Harman says: “I had so much fun directing the original UK and Ireland Tour that I jumped at the chance to work on it again. Shrek the Musical has created pivotal moments in my career – firstly winning an Olivier and then my directorial debut. It’s certainly become one of the classic family musicals of all time and I’m really proud to be a part of it.”

Shrek the Musical is based on the story and characters from William Steig’s book Shrek! and the DreamWorks Animations feature film. Originally directed in the West End by Jason Moore and Rob Ashford, the production has book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire, music by Jeanine Tesori with set and costume design by Tim Hatley.

Casting information for the tour will be announced in due course.

Listings

Shrek the Musical
Edinburgh Playhouse, Greenside Place, EH1 3AA
Tuesday 12 December 2017 – Sunday 7 January 2018
Tue-Sat 7pm; Sun: 1pm & 5pm
Matinees (Sats and various dates): 2.30pm
Tickets and information from: http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/shrek-the-musical/edinburgh-playhouse/
Tour website: http://shrekthemusical.co.uk/

Shrek UK tour on Twitter: @ShrekUKTour

Tags: News, Nigel Harman, Playhouse, Production News, Shrek, Shrek the Musical