London Theatre Direct

GOSSIP: SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE AS WEST END PLAY?

According to Variety magazine, Disney who hold the rights to the project are teaming up with Sonia Friedman to bring Oscar winning film Shakespeare in Love to the stage in the West End.

Disney are obviously known for their musical productions, but although originally planned as a musical musical the idea is now to stage the film as a play.  Original co script writer Tom Stoppard is apparently in talks for adapting his work for the stage with Tony Award-winner Jack O'Brien in the director's chair. O'Brien's credits include Hairspray, The Full Monty and Stoppard's The Coast of Utopia and The Invention of Love.

The film was released in 1998 starring Joseph Fiennes as Shakespeare and won a host of Oscars including for co star Gwynneth Paltrow (who can forget her teary oscar winning speach?!!), Judith Dench as Queen Elizabeth I for her 16 minutes appearance (!) as well as Best Picture.

There has been no official announcement from Disney or mention of date or venue so keep watching this space for further updates!

[posted by Louise, 25/10/2011]