Shakespeare In Love at Noel Coward - July 2014

The stage premiere of Shakespeare in Love, adapted for the stage by Lee Hall from the screenplay by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard, opens at the Noel Coward Theatre in July 2014. (Dates to be confirmed and public booking opens 3 Feb 2014.)

It is directed by Declan Donnellan, designed by Nick Ormerod and produced by Disney Theatrical Productions and Sonia Friedman Productions.

Based on the film, the new stage production will have a cast of over 26 actors and musicians. The full creative team and cast will be announced in due course.

Sonia Friedman, Producer, said: "Every now and then a story comes along that cries out to be staged. This is one such story. Shakespeare in Love bursts with life and is a moving and hilarious celebration of everything that we love about the inspirational and transformative power of theatre. This project has been several years in development and Tom Schumacher and I are thrilled to be confirming its world premiere in London."

Plagued by debt, tormented by writer's block and in desperate need of a new hit, promising new playwright Will Shakespeare finds his muse in the form of passionate young noblewoman, Viola De Lesseps. Their forbidden love soon draws everyone, including Queen Elizabeth herself, into the drama and inspires Will to write the greatest love story of all time, Romeo and Juliet.