Producer Jamie Hendry has announced plans to give theatregoers and fans the chance to participate in the financing of West End musical The Wind in the Willows. The platform aims to give budding entrepreneurs the opportunity to take part in bringing this new musical theatre adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s classic novel to the West End stage and, the producer hopes, reap in the financial benefits of its potential success.
The production will cost £6.5 million to produce and investment is available in amounts as low as £1,000, up to £5,000, which could see a return on investment of 60 per cent over the first two years.
As previously announced, 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.
Hendry commented: “Kenneth Grahame’s classic is such an iconic piece of British literary heritage that we are thrilled to have created the means for as many people as possible to own a stake in this new adaptation. Traditionally commercial theatre investment has only been available to a small group of individuals from whom significant funding has already been secured.
“Crowdfunding has become a growing trend in the arts. However, this scheme converts the idea into a financial investment with potential for return. Given the national ownership of the piece, I am delighted to reserve a limited ten per cent of the capitalisation for individual investors in amounts from as little as £1,000.”
Mark Rubinstein, president of the Society of London Theatre, added: “The business of West End theatre continues to evolve and this new initiative opens the door for more people to be a part of the world of theatre by investing in exciting new commercial productions. I wish Jamie Hendry and the production much luck.”
Fellowes has achieved extraordinary success recently, having created the hugely successful period drama Downton Abbey for which he won two Emmy Awards in 2011. He also won an Oscar in 2002 for his Gosford Park screenplay.
Stiles and Drewe have been writing together for more than 30 years. They are best known for writing new songs for Mary Poppins, their Olivier Award-winning Honk!, and more recently Betty Blue Eyes (touring in 2014). Other work includes Just So, Peter Pan, Soho Cinders and they are currently developing Soapdish.
Wind in the Willows is being developed and produced by Jamie Hendry Productions, whose current and recent productions include Let It Be, Legally Blonde the Musical and the award-winning La Cage Aux Folles.
For more information on public-investment details and to invest in The Wind in the Willows, go to www.investinwillows.com. The website for the production is www.windinthewillowsthemusical.com.
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