No kneed for it

Theatregoer’s anger at 6ft man playing ‘dwarf’ by walking on his knees

A THEATRE fan is fuming about a tall actor playing Lord Farquaad in Shrek – and reckons dwarfs are being put out of work.

Bill Nicholson is boycotting the musical in which Samuel Holmes, who is over 6ft, portrays the diminutive villain by shuffling around the stage on his knees.

Bill said he believes “dwarfs are being gradually frozen out”, adding he thinks it is partly because they are more expensive to cast than taller people “impersonating them”.

Hitting out at the touring production which is now playing at the theatre near where he lives, he added he is “appalled” that a six-footer has been given the role.

Bill said: “I for one will not be attending the Shrek musical. What next... Snow White and the Seven Tall People?”

The venue – the Theatre Royal Plymouth, in Devon, responded to the criticism by saying it does not decide who performs in the show.

Bosses added: “We aim to bring the best possible theatre to our audiences but we have no control over casting for productions playing at TRP as part of a UK tour.

“As a theatre, we embrace diversity. We value difference and individuality, treating everyone as equally important.” A spokesman for the touring production declined to comment. Shrek the Musical also features the likes of former X Factor contestant Amelia Lily, Call the Midwife actress Laura Main, Steffan Harri and Marcus Ayton.

Lord Farquaad was made famous as voiced by US actor John Lithgow in the hit computeranimated movies. He is 6ft 4ins tall.

VENUE Theatre Royal Plymouth ROLE Samuel as villain Lord Farquaad

MUSICAL Samuel & some of his Shrek co-stars