Photo Flash: Dean Chisnall, Richard Blackwood et al. in New SHREK Photocall

These new photographs of Dean Chisnall, Richard Blackwood, Kimberley Walsh and Neil McDermott were taken backstage last night before the first performance of the new cast of SHREK: THE MUSICAL at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London.

SHREK THE MUSICAL® has been seen by more than 300,000 people at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane since the new stage production began preview performances on May 6, 2011. A Royal Gala was hosted in June 2011 by Jeffrey Katzenberg, Chief Executive Officer of Dreamworks Animation SKG, attended by HRH The Prince of Wales in aid of The Prince's Foundation for Children & The Arts. In July, BBC Radio 2 celebrated the opening of Shrek The Musical with the specially programmed 'Friday Night is Music Night - A Musical Shrektacular'. Tickets are currently on sale for performances up to October 21 2012.

Produced by DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions, SHREK THE MUSICAL® is based on the story and characters from William Steig's book Shrek! and the Oscar®-winning Dreamworks Animation feature film Shrek, the first chapter in the series of irreverent fairy tales.

SHREK THE MUSICAL® currently stars Nigel Lindsay as Shrek, Richard Blackwood as Donkey, Nigel Harman as Lord Farquaad and Kimberley Walsh as Princess Fiona.

SHREK THE MUSICAL® tells the story of the swamp-dwelling ogre who embarks on a life-changing adventure in order to reclaim the deed to his land. Joined by a wise-cracking donkey who won't shut up, this unlikely hero fights a fearsome dragon, rescues the feisty Princess Fiona and learns that real friendship and true love aren't only found in fairy tales. With all-new songs, and an old favourite in I'm a Believer, this spectacular stage musical brings to life the original film's cast of dysfunctional characters and the accompanying subversive fun.

The Anglo-American creative team is led by directors Jason Moore and Rob Ashford and includes David Lindsay-Abaire (Book and Lyrics), Jeanine Tesori (Music), Tim Hatley (Scenic, Costume and Puppet Design), Hugh Vanstone (Lighting Design), Peter Hylenski (Sound Design), and Josh Prince (Choreography).

Photo credit: Dan Wooller/Rex/Rex USA