Strictly Come Dancing star Joanne Clifton has swapped the dance floor for a fairy-tale forest to join the cast of Shrek The Musical as Princess Fiona at Wales Millennium Centre this November. 

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 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).    

Joannewill be joined by a Shrek-tacular cast line up which includes Antony Lawrence as Shrek (whose previous credits include Scar in The Lion King, Mary Poppins, Matilda the Musical, and We Will Rock You) and Olivier Award-nominee James Gillian as Lord Farquaad (who recently created the role of Tray in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, and has previously starred in Wicked, Starlight Express and Taboo!). 

Brandon Lee Sears, playing the role of 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, Come From Away, Heathers The Musical and On the Town. Rising star Cherece Richards (Once on This Island, Regent’s Park Theatre) will make her debut in a principal role as the Dragon.  

The ensemble cast of Shrek the Musical including Leo Abad, Scotty Armstrong, Imogen Bailey, Jabari Braham, Georgie Buckland, Natasha Cayabyab, Mark Darcy, 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. 

Join Shrek and Donkey on their quest to save Princess Fiona at Wales Millennium Centre on 20 – 25 November. Tickets are on sale now at https://www.wmc.org.uk/en/whats-on/2023/shrek  

Mark Goucher, Producer of Shrek The Musical, said:  

“I am delighted to be bringing this re-imagined production of the beloved Shrek the Musical to audiences across the UK and Ireland. The story of Shrek is known and loved across the world and this show is an incredibly joyous, fun and uplifting evening at the theatre that will be enjoyed by all ages.” 

Graeme Farrow, Wales Millennium Centre’s Artistic Director, said: 

“I’m A Believer that Shrek The Musical will be a firm favourite with audiences young and old – and luckily you won’t have to go Far Far Away, to see this All Star cast. Tickets are selling fast – book now!” 

The bright and beautiful fairy-tale world has been reimagined by Mark Goucher, Gavin Kalin, Matthew Gale (the producers of Hairspray and Priscilla Queen of the Desert) and a new creative team and includes the iconic songs and story from David Lindsay-Abaire and Jeanine Tesori’s original musical.   

Having played Lord Farquaad in the previous UK tour, Sam Holmes (Club Tropicana the Musical) returns to the swamp to co-direct. He is joined by acclaimed director and choreographer Nick Winston, whose recent credits include Bonnie and Clyde (Arts Theatre) and Beauty and the Beast (as associate director and choreographer for the UK tour) and upcoming projects include a new world tour of We Will Rock You and a remounted UK tour of Rock of Ages.   

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). 

Shrek the Musical was first performed on Broadway in 2008, receiving eight Tony nominations, and the award for Best Costume Design. The original West End production was nominated for four Olivier awards, including Best New Musical, at the 2012 Olivier awards. Nigel Harman received the award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Lord Farquaad. The Oscar®-winning DreamWorks animated film Shrek celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2021.  

Shrek the Musical will be at the Wales Millennium Centre from 20th to 25th November tickets are now available, so get yours here!