Casting has been announced for the UK tour of Shrek the Musical coming to Bristol Hippodrome for summer 2023. The musical comedy is based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks film that is perfect for young children and will have the older guests nostalgic for the 2001 animation.
The first sneak preview of the production will be filmed on February 27 as part of BBC1's Big Night of the Musicals set to be broadcast on TV and radio later this spring. The titular role will be played by Antony Lawrence who's recently starred as Scar in an international tour of The Lion King as well as having roles in Mary Poppins and Matilda the Musical at the Cambridge Theatre.
His on-stage partner will be played by former Strictly Come Dancing star, Joanne Clifton, who won the Christmas Special with McFly’s Harry Judd and went on to win the glitterball trophy in 2016 with Ore Oduba. Clifton has had a strong theatre career since the BBC ballroom show and was most recently seen on stage in Windfall and The Addams Family.
Read more: Comedian Michael McIntyre announces Bristol shows as part of world tour
Brandon Lee Sears, who will play Shrek's loveable friend, Donkey, was most recently played the role of Jimmy Early in the Dreamgirls UK tour. Olivier Award-nominee James Gillan will play the show's villain, Lord Faquaad, who most recently created the role of Tray in Everybody’s talking About Jamie (Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue) – a role he stayed with through the show’s entire. The story takes inspiration from the first film in the animated series following Shrek and Donkey on their adventure and meeting some recognisable faces along the way.
Shrek the Musical brings together a new creative team to re-image this award-winning Broadway and West End hit show for a new audience, featuring all the classic characters from the animated film and the iconic songs (including 'I'm a Believer') with the storyline from David Lindsay-Abaire and Jeanine Tesori’s original musical. The original Broadway production started in December 2008 and followed by a re-vamped West End production from June 2011 to February 2013.
The tour includes 32 venues across the UK across nine months opening at Plymouth Theatre Royal on July 21, 2023 as well as heading to Manchester, Dublin, Southend, Carlisle, Aberdeen, Oxford, Wimbledon, Dartford, Northampton and Bristol. The Bristol leg of the tour will be August 22-27, 2023 with tickets starting from £13 each - subject to a £3.80 booking fee.
Shrek the Musical comes to Bristol Hippodrome from August 22-27, 2023. Tickets are available to buy online. atgtickets.com/venues/bristol-hippodrome
Up next:
Mother Goose starring Ian McKellen and John Bishop coming to Bristol Hippodrome
Bristol Hippodrome: Cher invited to wedding after proposal at show
Review: English National Ballet's 'Raymonda' made accessible and relevant through reimagined story
Paul O'Grady on how he 'almost moved to Clifton' and his friendship with Camilla
