SHREK The Musical is returning to the Grand Theatre, Leeds, during the Christmas season.

The family show, based on the popular animated fairy tale-with-a-twist, can be seen from December 18 to January 6.

Directed by former EastEnders star Nigel Harman, the cast will be led by Steffan Harri who will play the beloved swamp-dwelling ogre ‘Shrek’.

Call the Midwife star Laura Main will star as ‘Princess Fiona’, joining Marcus Ayton as Shrek’s wisecracking sidekick ‘Donkey’ and Samuel Holmes as pint-sized villain ‘Lord Farquaad’.

Laura Main said: “I’ve been waiting a long time for an adventure like this to come along and now that it has, I am ready to swap the surgery for the swamp in one of my favourite musicals.

“Shrek has made a believer out of me and I can’t wait for this fairy tale to take me across the country.”

Shrek The Musical is based on the story and characters from William Steig’s book Shrek! and the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animations feature film.

Visit leedsgrandtheatre.com or call 0844 848 2700 to book tickets.

Nigel Harman made his directing debut on the first-ever tour of Shrek The Musical, going on to direct first ever tour. Since then Nigel was booked to direct American star Kelsey Grammer in Big Fish The Musical in London.

Nigel originated the role of Lord Farquaad in the West End, winning the Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical.

Steffan Harri starred in the first UK tour of Shrek the Musical, and has also been in the West End in Les Misérables, Spamalot, and Children of Eden.

Laura Main plays Shelagh Turner in hit BBC drama Call the Midwife.