A new musical version of Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows, featuring music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe and a book by Julian Fellowes, has announced that it will begin performances June 17, 2017, prior to an official opening June 29 at the London Palladium.

The show is currently on a pre-West End tour, now playing at Southhampton’s Mayflower Theatre (through November 20), following runs at Plymouth's Theatre Royal and the Lowry, Salford.

Rufus Hound will reprise his performance as Mr. Toad. Further casting for the West End is still to be confirmed, but the regional cast has also featured David Birrell as Badger, Fra Fee as Mole, Thomas Howes as Rat, Neil McDermott as Chief Weasel, and Sophia Nomvete as Mrs. Otter.

In a press statement, lead producer Jamie Hendry has said that he will be sending free copies of Grahame’s novel to every school and library in London, stating, “I am a firm believer that our most classic novels should be freely available for everyone to enjoy. I hope that readers will fall in love with Grahame’s story as much as I did, which ultimately led to the commissioning of this musical.”

The musical follows the impulsive Mr. Toad, whose insatiable need for speed lands him in serious trouble. With his beloved home under threat from the notorious Chief Weasel and his gang of sinister Wild Wooders, Toad must attempt a daring escape leading to a series of misadventures and a heroic battle to recapture Toad Hall.

Produced by Jamie Hendry, MJE Productions, and Josh Gilinski, in association with Theatre Royal Plymouth, the show is directed by Rachel Kavanaugh with choreography by Aletta Collins, design by Peter McKintosh, lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Gareth Owen, wig & makeup design by Linda McKnight, orchestrations by Chris Jahnke and David Shrubsole, and musical supervision by Simon Lee.

To book tickets, which are on sale through September 9, 2017, contact the box office on 0844 874 0665
or visit windinthewillowsthemusical.com.