Shrek won an Oscar for best animated film

The makers of the stage adaptation want people to submit a YouTube-style audition to play the loveable ogre and his comedy sidekick.

The characters - voiced by Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy in the animated films - are wanted to star in the show, which is due to open next year.

Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes is heading the production for Dreamworks Animation.

They are looking for male performers, aged 20 to 30, to submit video recordings of themselves singing.

'Powerful presence'

Shrek is described as having a lonely outsider, whose imposing physical appearance disguises a warm heart, soul, strength, and wit.

Producers are looking for actors with "a powerful presence and strength with a true rock or R&B voice" to play him.

"Unique" performers with a slam poetry, comedy or hip-hop background are being sought to play Donkey.

Shrek is one of the most successful animated films of all time and tells the story of a ogre who falls in love with Princess Fiona.

Based on the children's book by William Steig, the character of Shrek has been featured in two major animated films, Shrek (2001) and Shrek 2 (2004).

Shrek the Third is due to open in cinemas in the US on 18 May.

Shrek the Musical - directed by Jason Moore with music by Jeanine Tesori - is the latest Hollywood hit film to be turned into a musical.

Legally Blonde the musical opened on Broadway on Monday, while popular films Lord of the Rings, The Producers, Billy Elliot and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang have all made a successful transition from screen to stage in recent years.