Dean Chisnall, Neil McDermott to Join West End’s Shrek the Musical

Dean Chisnall will assume the title role and Neil McDermott assume the role of Lord Farquaad in Shrek the Musical, playing at the West End’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane, on February 29, according to a report on Whatsonstage.com. They will replace Nigel Lindsay and Nigel Harman, respectively, who will play their final performances on February 27.

Chisnall is currently understudying the role. Among his other West End credits are Love Never Dies, La Cage aux Folles, Never Forget, Evita, and The Woman in White.

McDermott may be best known for his portrayal of Ryan Malloy on the television series EastEnders. His stage credits include La Cage aux Folles at the Menier Chocolate Factory, and Follies and The Sound of Music in the West End.

The show, which is based on the story and characters from William Steig’s book Shrek! as well as the DreamWorks Animation film Shrek, features book and lyrics by Pulitzer Prize-winner David Lindsay-Abaire, and music by Jeanine Tesori.

In addition to Lindsay and Harman, the show also currently stars Kimberly Walsh as Princess Fiona and Richard Blackwood as Donkey.

For more information and tickets, click here.