Casting details for the nationwide tour of Shrek The Musical, which comes to Manchester’s Palace Theatre in January 2018, have been revealed.

Following the unprecedented success of the first UK and Ireland tour, the original production team reunites to bring the hit musical to a swamp near you.  Shrek The Musical is based on the story and characters from William Steig’s book Shrek! and the Oscar winning film.

Who is the cast and crew of Shrek The Musical at the Palace Theatre Manchester?

Leading the cast as beloved swamp-dwelling ogre ‘Shrek’ will be Steffan Harri, having previously starred in the original UK tour of Shrek The Musical and Call the Midwife star Laura Main as ‘Princess Fiona’ (whilst Laura will perform the role in Manchester, due to filming commitments Laura will be unavailable for certain dates on the tour). Also joining the cast will be Marcus Ayton as Shrek’s wisecracking sidekick ‘Donkey’ and Samuel Holmes as pint-sized villain ‘Lord Farquaad’. Further casting to be announced.

The company of fairy-tale characters will include Adam Baker, Ethan Bradshaw, Michael Carolan, Joseph Dockree, Will Hawksworth, Sarah-Louise Jones, Reece Kerridge, Thomas Lee Kidd, Amy Oxley, Jemma Revell, Lucinda Shaw, Sam Stones, Adam Taylor, Jennifer Tierney, Sophie Wallis, Francesca Williams, Laura Wilson and Kevin Yates.

Nigel Harman will return as director, having made his directorial debut on the first ever tour. Since then Nigel has gone on to direct Lunch & The Bow of Ulysses (Trafalgar Studios) and will direct Kelsey Grammer in Big Fish The Musical (The Other Palace) this autumn. Best known for his stage and television work, Nigel originated the role of Lord Farquaad in the West End, winning the Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical.

Speaking of the announcement, Laura Main commented, ‘I’ve been waiting a long time for an adventure like this to come along and now that it has I am ready to swap the surgery for the swamp in one of my favourite musicals. Shrek has made a Believer out of me and I can’t wait for this fairytale to take me across the country.’

Where and when does Shrek The Musical run in Manchester?

Shrek The Musical runs at Manchester’s Palace Theatre from Tuesday 16 January until Sunday 28 January 2018.

Pictured (left to right), Shrek The Musical stars Laura Main, Steffan Harri, Samuel Holmes and Marcus Ayton.