Rufus Hound leads cast of The Wind in the Willows musical at the London Palladium

Dates set for The Wind in the Willows in London's West End

It has been announced that new British musical The Wind in the Willows will run at the London Palladium in London's West End from 17th June to 9th September 2017, with an official opening on 29 June 2017.

Rufus Hound will lead the cast of the production following a brief UK tour after opening at the Theatre Royal Plymouth earlier this year.

The Wind in the Willows features a book by Oscar-winning screenwriter and 'Downton Abbey' creator Julian Fellowes and original score by Olivier Award-winning composer and lyricist team George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. Having previously collaborated on Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's stage musical Mary Poppins, they are currently represented in the West End with their new production of Half a Sixpence.

"Ratty, Badger and Mole join the exuberant Toad and embark on a series of adventures and misadventures caused by his insatiable need for speed! Imprisoned for theft and with his existence under threat from the inhabitants of the Wild Wood, Toad must attempt a daring escape to defend Toad Hall."

In a press statement, Julian Fellowes commented "For my adaptation of The Wind in the Willows, which I have loved since I was a boy, to play the London Palladium, the most famous theatre of my childhood, is to bring together two of my life-long favourites. It's a dream come true, really."

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

Stiles and Drewe's previous musical theatre credits include the Olivier Award-winning Honk!, Just So, Soho Cinders, and the West End productions Betty Blue Eyes, Mary Poppins and The Three Little Pigs.

Tickets for The Wind in the Willows at the London Palladium are now on sale.