A second U.K. tour of Shrek the Musical will launch in December, beginning performances at the Edinburgh Playhouse December 12, then continuing to dates in Manchester, Sunderland, Birmingham, Aberdeen, Northampton, Stoke, and Blackpool, with further venues to be announced.
Nigel Harman, who originated the role of Lord Farquaad in the original West End production—winning the Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical—will return as director of the production, having also directed the original tour.
In a press statement, Harman commented, “I had so much fun directing the original U.K. 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 Oscar-winning 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.
The first U.K. tour in 2014–15 was seen by nearly 800,000 people when it played at 25 major venues over 20 months. The production was first staged in the U.K. at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane in 2011.
The U.K. and Ireland tour of the original DreamWorks production will be presented by Neal Street Productions, Playful Productions, Ron Kastner, Saracen Films, Tulchin/Bartner Productions, Gavin Kalin, Glass Half Full Productions/Just For Laughs Theatricals, Lee Menzies, and Mark Cartwright.
Casting is still to be announced.
To book tickets, which go on general sale February 24, and for full touring dates, visit shrekthemusical.co.uk.
