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A new musical adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows has been announced with the creative team behind the award-winning Mary Poppins - Scriptwriter Julian Fellowes, Composer George Stiles and Lyricist Anthony Drewe - reuniting. The production is expected to open in London within the next 18 months. Stiles and Drewe’s numerous collaborations include the recent West End hit Betty Blue Eyes and the Olivier Award-winning Honk! Julian Fellowes is the Writer and Executive Producer of Downton Abbey.

A Classic English Story on Stage

Talking about the production, Julian Fellowes said: “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 said: “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.”

Action, Adventure and Camaraderie

Kenneth Grahame’s popular children’s story was first published in 1908 and tells the tale of four animals (Mole, Ratty, Badger and Toad) and their adventures in the English countryside. Toad is a rich and jovial fellow and owner of the magnificent manor Toad Hall. He has an obsession with horse-drawn carriages, which is replaced by motor cars when he is run off the road by a speeding driver. His behaviour quickly becomes self-destructive (with six cars bought and crashed in quick succession) leaving his well-meaning friends to try and keep him on the straight and narrow.