Amanda Holden and Richard Blackwood to Star in West End Shrek the Musical

Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden will star as Princess Fiona in the West End premiere of Shrek the Musical. The production, which is also set to star Richard Blackwood as Donkey, begins performances at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in May of 2011.

Holden was last seen on the West End stage in Thoroughly Modern Millie (playing Millie Dillmount, another role, like Fiona, originated in New York by Tony winner Sutton Foster) and received an Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical. She is also known for her work as the UK correspondent for CBS’ The Early Show. Blackwood recently starred in the West End production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and has also been seen on stage in the touring productions of Angel House and The Unexpected Guest.

Based on William Steig’s book and the Academy Award-winning Dreamworks film, Shrek the Musical tells the story of a swamp-dwelling ogre who embarks on an adventure alongside a wise-cracking donkey to save Princess Fiona and a land of fairytale creatures from the reign of the vertically-challenged Lord Farquaad. The musical features a score by Jeanine Tesori and book by David Lindsay-Abaire. The West End production of the show will be co-directed by Jason Moore and Rob Ashford.