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Shrek The Musical is taking ‘ogre’ Blackpool Opera House as part of a brand new UK tour.

The larger-than-life production will enjoy a huge 13-date run between Tuesday, May 15 and Sunday, May 27 2018.

It comes on the back of the previous successful UK and Ireland tour, which ran from 2014 to 2016.

Nigel Harman will return as director, having made his directorial debut on the previous tour.

He’d previously appeared as Lord Farquaad in the 2011 West End production, a role for which he won an Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical.

Speaking about the upcoming tour, he said: “I had so much fun directing the original UK and Ireland Tour that I jumped at the chance to work on it again.

“Shrek the Musical has created pivotal moments in my career – firstly winning an Olivier and then my directorial debut. It’s certainly become one of the classic family musicals of all time and I’m really proud to be a part of it”.

Shrek The Musical first opened on Broadway in 2008. Since then, it has toured to nearly 150 cities in the USA and Canada, with productions having also played in Spain, Poland, France, Malaysia, China, Brazil, Italy, Denmark, The Netherlands, Estonia, Israel and Turkey.

It had a West End run in 2011, before embarking on a 20-month, 25-venue UK and Ireland tour in 2014, during which it was seen by more than 800,000 people.

Based on the William Steig book and Dreamworks film of the same name, the musical features all new songs, as well as the cult Shrek anthem I’m a Believer.

It’s also the only musical than can claim to bring together more than 100 fairytale characters, and a 14 foot dragon, on the same stage.

Michael Williams, Managing Director at The Winter Gardens added: “It’s fantastic that we’re able to announce that Shrek The Musical will head to the Opera House in 2018, as part of a major 2018 tour. The DreamWorks musical has proved to be a huge family treat and at such a key time during May half term, the show is guaranteed to bring a significant boost to the local area”.

Casting information will be announced in due course.

Tickets are priced from £20 and go on sale at 10am, today. To book, call 0844 8561111 or visit www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk.