Kimberley Walsh, one fifth of chart-topping pop group Girls Aloud, is to replace Amanda Holden in the role of Princess Fiona in Shrek The Musical from 5 October.
Walsh’s casting was announced alongside the news that Holden, who miscarried a baby earlier this year, is pregnant once more and as a result will leave the show on 3 October. A statement confirmed that Walsh had been due to take over the role two months later.
As part of Girls Aloud, the group formed through reality show Pop Stars: The Rivals, Walsh has sold 10 million records and released five platinum selling albums. In 2008 she took part in a documentary which revealed her long-time love of musical theatre, following her as she undertook training for a one-off appearance in Les Misérables at the Queen’s theatre.
Based on the hit Dreamworks film and William Steig’s book, Shrek The Musical tells the story of a grumpy ogre who lives on his own in a swamp. When the nasty Lord Farquaad banishes all the fairytale characters to Shrek’s swamp, the ogre must embark on a treacherous mission to reclaim the deed to his land. Hampered by the wise-cracking Donkey, Shrek must rescue Princess Fiona from the clutches of a fire-breathing dragon.
Shrek The Musical, which opened at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in May this year, currently stars Nigel Lindsay as Shrek, Nigel Harman as Lord Farquaad and Richard Blackwood as Donkey.
Shrek The Musical is currently booking to 21 October 2012.
CB