The Royal Gala performance marks the beginning of an ongoing relationship between DreamWorks and Children & the Arts.  The charity has helped over 100,000 children gain access to the arts since 2006, and the cast, creative team and producers of Shrek the Musical plan to assist their ongoing work by jointly developing a new educational project that will introduce young people to the art of musical theatre and to encourage participation in all aspects of production. 

West End Ready for Monster Fairytale

Jeremy Newton, Chief Executive, The Prince's Foundation for Children & the Arts commented: “We're absolutely delighted to have a Royal Gala performance in the presence of our President, His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales for possibly the year's most anticipated West End opening.  But this is much more than just a single performance. This is the start of an exciting joint effort between Children & the Arts and Shrek the Musical, where we will combine our knowledge and experience to run activities that will inspire, challenge and develop those children who have had very little access to the arts.”

Shrek the Musical opens at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane on Tuesday 14th June 2011, with previews beginning this month from Friday 06th May.

The Shrek cast includes Nigel Lindsay (pictured left) as “Shrek”, Richard Blackwood as “Donkey”, Amanda Holden as “Princess Fiona” and Nigel Harman as pint-sized despot “Lord Farquaad”.