Fellowes, Stiles and Drewe to Write Musical of THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS

Today producer Jamie Hendry announced plans to stage a brand new musical theatre adaptation of Kenneth Grahame's classic novel The Wind in the Willows in London.

Julian Fellowes is writing the new book and reunites with composer and lyricist duo George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. The three first collaborated on Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's hit musical Mary Poppins which ran for three years in the West End and has been playing on Broadway since 2006.

Julian Fellowes has achieved extraordinary success recently having created the hugely successful period drama Downton Abbey for which he won two Emmy Awards in 2011. Fellowes won an Oscar in 2002 for his Gosford Park screenplay. Other screenplays include The Young Victoria, The Importance of Being Earnest and a new version of Romeo & Juliet due for release in 2012.

George Stiles and Anthony Drewe have been writing together for twenty-eight years. They are best known for writing new songs for Mary Poppins, their Olivier Award-winning Honk!, and more recently Betty Blue Eyes. Other work includes Just So, Peter Pan and they are currently developing Soho Cinders and Soapdish.

The production is being developed and produced by Jamie Hendry Productions, whose recent productions include the Olivier Award-winning Legally Blonde the Musical, Birdsong, Spring Awakening and the Olivier Award-winning La Cage Aux Folles.

The production will be produced for London's West End, full information regarding dates and theatre will be published in due course.

Julian Fellowes: "The Wind in the Willows is one of our greatest classics, and as true and entertaining now as it has ever been. I am delighted and tremendously flattered to have been asked to write the book for the new musical. In fact, I suspect this is something I've been wanting to do subconsciously for many years."

George Stiles: "Ever since working with Julian on Mary Poppins, the three of us have been looking for a new project. We all celebrate our English roots as writers, and the musical possibilities of Kenneth Grahame's classic chime very strongly with me. The book itself is packed with music and songs so I can't wait to find the sounds to score Ratty, Mole, Badger, Toad and their adventures."

Anthony Drewe: "I loved Kenneth Grahame's novel as a boy and it still resonates with me as an adult, but I suspect it is one of those stories that people 'think' they know. There are different depths in the writing as well as some interesting incidents often omitted in other adaptations. Together with Julian, we are looking forward to turning this classic story into a musical that, like the book, will appeal to all generations."

Jamie Hendry: "I am absolutely delighted to bring together such distinguished and talented writers to adapt one of the world's most-loved novels for the West End stage."