SHREK the Musical is on its way to the Mayflower Theatre.

The larger-than-life production is coming to Hampshire as part of its first ever tour of UK and Ireland.

See Shrek in Southampton from July 8 – 26.

Coming direct from London, where it was seen live on stage by nearly a million people, the tour of the Drury Lane production is directed by Nigel Harman who starred as Lord Farquaad in the West End production.

Nigel won the 2012 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical for the role.

Nigel said: “I am delighted to be returning to Shrek as its director. This show is very special to me with its dizzying blend of great characters, a hilarious script and sublime music.

"This production is visually stunning, and the story has the magic ingredient of moving at great pace while still being surprisingly intimate. In short, there was no way I was going to say no to the challenge of realising the production for the UK and Ireland.”

Basingstoke Gazette:

Shrek the Musical is based on the story and characters from William Steig’s book Shrek! and the DreamWorks Animations feature film.

Leading the cast of the 2015 company is Dean Chisnall who will continue his role as beloved swamp-dwelling ogre Shrek, the role he previously played in the West End.

Bronté Barbé will star as damsel in distress Princess Fiona, joining continuing cast members Idriss Kargbo as Shrek’s wisecracking sidekick Donkey and Gerard Carey as pint-sized villain Lord Farquaad.

Basingstoke Gazette:

They will be joined by a full company of fairy-tale characters including Laura Baldwin, Nikki Bentley, Jennifer Caldwell, Alexander Day, Candace Furbert, Will Haswell, Keith Henderson, James Lacey, Will Jennings, Iain Mattley, Christina Modestou, Sam Murphy, Amy Oxley, Ryan Reid, Jacqui Sanchez, Jake Small, Oliver Tester, Dawn Williams, Kerry Winter and Kevin Yates.

Tickets are available from the box office on 02380 711811 or online at mayflower.org.uk.