Olivier Award nominated Glaswegian actor to star in Shrek The Musical when it comes to Glasgow in January

The King's Theatre, Glasgow is delighted to welcome Olivier Award-nominated Glaswegian actor James Gillan to their historic stage as he takes on the role of Lord Farquaad in Shrek The Musical!

Article Source: ATG
Last Updated: 22 November 2023 14:13

He is part of a Shrek-tacular principal cast lineup which includes Antony Lawrence (Shrek), Joanne Clifton (Princess Fiona) and Brandon Lee Sears (Donkey) and rising star Cherece Richards (Once on This Island, Regent’s Park Theatre) who will make her debut in a principal role as the Dragon in this brand-new production.

Originally from Paisley, Scottish actor Mark D’Arcy stars as Pinocchio. His first professional job was at The King's in the children's ensemble of the 2013 pantomime Cinderella. He last took to the stage of the venue in the ensemble of the 2022 pantomime Beauty & the Beast. Georgie Buckland (Gingy) trained in Glasgow and is a graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland's BA in Muscial Theatre.

The ensemble cast of Shrek the Musical will include Leo Abad, Scotty Armstrong, Imogen Bailey, Jabari Braham, Natasha Cayabyab, Jonathan David Dudley, Remi Ferdinand, Sonny Grieveson, Edward Leigh, Bethany Kate, Jessica Lim, Andile Mabhena, Bronte MacMillan, India Thornton. Talia Duff, Gabby Gregorian, Roy Shafford and Jamie Jonathan complete the full cast line-up.

James Gillan (Lord Farquaad) 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 West End run. He has also starred in West End productions of Wicked, Starlight Express and Taboo!

Best known for her time on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, after winning the World Professional Showdance Champion and the European Professional Ballroom Championship, Joanne Clifton (Fiona) joined the iconic TV show as a professional dancer. During her time on the show she won the Christmas Special with McFly’s Harry Judd and went on to win the glitterball trophy as the 2016 champion with her partner Ore Oduba. On stage Joanne Clifton was most recently seen in Windfall (Southwark Playhouse) and The Addams Family (UK Tour).

Antony Lawrence (Shrek) has previously performed as Scar in The Lion King (International Tour) as well as Mary Poppins (National Tour), Matilda the Musical (Cambridge Theatre/RSC) and We Will Rock You (International Arena Tour).

Brandon Lee Sears (Donkey) most recently played the role of Jimmy Early in Dreamgirls (UK tour). His previous theatre credits include the original West End productions of Be More Chill (Shaftesbury), Come From Away (Phoenix); Heathers (Theatre Royal Haymarket); Motown the Musical (Shaftesbury); and On the Town (Regents Park).

From the producers of Hairspray and Priscilla Queen of the Desert, 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 Oscar®-winning DreamWorks animated film and the iconic songs and story from David Lindsay-Abaire and Jeanine Tesori’s original musical.

The team joining forces to re-create the bright and beautiful world of Shrek the Musical includes acclaimed director and choreographer Nick Winston (Bonnie and Clyde, Arts Theatre; Beauty and the Beast, UK tour), co-director Sam Holmes (Club Tropicana the Musical), who returns to the swamp having played Lord Farquaad in the previous UK tour. He is joined by Set and costume design will be by Philip Witcomb (Bonnie & Clyde (Garrick Theatre); Jack & The Beanstalk, Everyman Theatre Cheltenham). Further creative team includes Ben Cracknel (Lighting), Jim Arnold (Casting) and Ben Harrison (Sound), Nina Dunn (Projection Design) and Jimmy Grimes (Puppet Design).

Leave your troubles Far Far Away and come join the adventure as Shrek and Donkey endeavour to complete their quest of defeating the dragon and saving Princess Fiona. Featuring fabulous songs including ‘I'm A Believer’, ‘Big Bright Beautiful World’ and ’I Know It’s Today’. Shrek the Musical has cemented itself as a musical extravaganza for big kids and little kids alike.

Tickets on sale now via www.atgtickets.com

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