EVERYONE'S favourite green ogre may have only just packed up his swamp but there are already plans for Shrek to return.

Following a triumphant run at Manchester's Palace Theatre, which ended earlier this month, it will be staged at the Lowry, Salford Quays, in February 2016.

Based on the award-winning DreamWorks animation film, Shrek the Musical is directed by former Eastenders actor Nigel Harman, who starred as Lord Farquaad in the West End production.

The 41-year-old, whose portrayal of the pint-sized villain scooped him the 2012 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical, said: "If you’re a parent, yes, be assured that the kids will come along and love Shrek the Musical.

"They will recognise the story and the characters and they won’t believe what they see on the stage but, just like the film, adults can also rely on the humour, a little risqué in places, delivered with a wink of the eye.

"It’s a family show at its heart, and suitable for everyone, children from eight to 80, so bring your kids or a date."

The cast is yet to be confirmed but could star current performers, Dean Chisnall as beloved swamp-dwelling ogre Shrek — the role he previously played in the West End — Faye Brookes as damsel in distress Princess Fiona, Idriss Kargbo as Shrek’s wisecracking sidekick Donkey and Gerard Carey as Lord Farquaad.

Nigel said: "Taking the first Shrek as its inspiration — one of the best launch pads you could ever have — Shrek the Musical uses the best elements of the film, so, the animated look, the feel, and those incredibly witty scenes with Donkey, and transposes them onto the stage.

"Then we add big, bold, song and dance layers on top. I found the movie really warm and enjoyed the subversion of traditional fairy-tale characters that DreamWorks, and especially the Shrek franchise, were pioneers at.

"When Shrek the Musical opened at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, I was playing Lord Farquaad and winning the Olivier Award was the icing on the cake.

"Performing the show eight times a week in front of a live audience, I got to witness first-hand the audience getting sucked in to the humour and the spectacle.

"From the moment it starts, they are there on the journey with you and I think that’s a really powerful and quite unique experience for both the cast and the audience.”

Shrek! — a story about a young ogre who finds the ogre of his dreams when he leaves home — was first published in 1990, written and illustrated by William Steig.

The name of the central character was derived from the German/Yiddish word ‘schreck’, literally meaning ‘fear, terror’.

The animated film of Shrek was released by DreamWorks Animation in 2001, starring the voices of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz.

The film went on to become an international success, grossing about $500 million in cinemas.

Shrek the Musical opened on Broadway in 2008 and toured to nearly 150 cities in the USA and Canada, before heading to the rest of the world and the UK.

Tickets for Shrek the Musical are on sale now, call 0843 208 6000.