Shrek The Musical Opens at the Theatre Royal on London's West End

Shrek the Musical officially opened on London's West End without a hitch despite a nearby fire that caused a neighbouring theatre to cancel it's show.

A performance of Dirty Dancing was called off at the Aldwych Theatre due to a blaze at Marconi House. Shrek powered on as planned before an audience that included Dame Judi Dench.

Shrek, the big green ogre made his way into the hearts of millions when the movie first debuted at cinemas back in 2001. The unlikely fairytale went on to win the first ever Oscar for Best Animated Picture and now, a decade later is back on stage after it's "New York try-out".

The creators of the show have revamped the new production after learning from it's Broadway's counterpart what needed improving. They have transformed the show into a bright, almost spanking-new creation. Included in the change, a couple of the drearier numbers composer Jeanine Tesori wrote for the original New York version have been scrapped and replaced with a few new ones including "Welcome to Duloc" with music by Mike Himelstein and words by Eric Darnell.

Reviews are positive and early reports suggest the all-green, all-singing ogre will be around for quite some time.

Source: BBC/Theatremania