Shrek The Musical

Shrek The Musical - photo by Helen MaybanksPart romance, part twisted fairy tale and irreverent fun for everyone, the multi-million dollar musical comedy Shrek The Musical is set to premiere at the Sydney Lyric Theatre from 1 January, before heading to Melbourne’s Her Majesty’s Theatre from 16 February and the Brisbane’s Lyric Theatre – QPAC from 9 May 2020.

Shrek The Musical brings the hilarious story of everyone’s favourite ogre to life on the stage. In a faraway kingdom turned upside down, things get ugly when an unseemly ogre – not a handsome prince – shows up to rescue a feisty princess. Throw in a donkey who won’t shut up, a bad guy with a SHORT temper, a cookie with attitude, and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you’ve got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there’s one on hand … and his name is Shrek.

Shrek The Musical is led by Ben Mingay as Shrek, Lucy Durack as Princess Fiona, Todd McKenney as Lord Farquaad, Nat Jobe as Donkey and Marcia Hines as the Dragon. The role of Young Princess Fiona will be shared in Sydney by Audrey Brodie (12 years old), Amelia Heaven (10), Mia Honeysett (8), Amelie Rose (10) and Holly Simon (12).

Also in the fairy tale cast are Ross Chisari (as Little Pig), Annie Chiswell (Ugly Duckling), Benjamin Colley (Pied Piper), Andy Conaghan (Wolf), Denise Devlin (Mama Bear), Mackenzie Dunn (Swing), Blake Erickson (Papa Bear), Manon Gunderson-Briggs (Gingy), Hollie James (Swing), Rubin Matters (Peter Pan), Sarah Murr (Fairy Godmother), Joshua Robson (Little Pig), Monique Sallé (Red Riding Hood), Tom Sharah (Little Pig), Leigh Sleightholme (Swing), Suzanne Steele (Wicked Witch), Rhys Velasquez (Swing), Caleb Vines (Pinocchio) and Sascha Wykes (Baby Bear).

With music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire, Shrek The Musical is based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks film Shrek and William Steig’s 1990 book Shrek!. When it was launched, the film Shrek was the first Academy Award winner for the Best Animated Feature, was the #1 highest grossing animated film and the #3 highest grossing film. Still today, three of the Shrek films are in the Top 20 Highest Grossing Animated Films of all time.

Featuring a terrific score of 19 songs, big laughs, great dancing and breathtaking scenery, the New York Times has proclaimed Shrek The Musical as “True Happiness!”. The show has been lauded by critics and audiences alike, receiving 8 Tony Award nominations, 12 Drama Desk nominations, 10 Outer Critics Circle nominations, 3 Drama League nominations and a Grammy Award nomination for Best Musical Show Album.

“SHREK is a colourful and joyous show with great heart and themes that the whole family can enjoy, with a level for adults and a level for the kids,” said Producer John Frost. “Tickets for our extra school matinees throughout January are incredibly popular, and SHREK is in Sydney for only six weeks before it heads to Melbourne. Get in fast to secure your tickets so you don’t miss out on the fairy tale fun.”


Shrek The Musical
Sydney Lyric Theatre – The Star, 55 Pirrama Road, Pyrmont
Season: 5 January – 9 February 2020 (previews: 1 – 4 January)
Bookings: www.shrekthemusical.com.au

Her Majesty’s Theatre, 219 Exhibition Street, Melbourne
Season: 16 February – 12 April 2020
Bookings: www.shrekthemusical.com.au

Lyric Theatre – QPAC, Cultural Precinct, Southbank (Brisbane)
Season: 9 May – 7 June 2020
Bookings: www.shrekthemusical.com.au

For more information, visit: www.shrekthemusical.com.au for details.

Image: Shrek The Musical (International Cast) – photo by Helen Maybanks