Gossip

Finding Neverland Next for West End???

Editorial Staff
London's West End

Finding Neverland, the 2004 biopic that starred Johnny Depp as Peter Pan author JM Barrie, is being adapted for the musical stage, according to the Daily Mail.

The stage version, which is composed by Scott Frankel with lyrics by Michael Korie and a book by Allan Knee (who wrote the original book), is being workshopped in London with a “full cast” next month (12 December).

Director Rob Ashford told the Mail‘s Baz Bamigboye, “It’s more a character piece with music and dancing than a full-blown piece like 42nd Street or Singing In The Rain.” The Depp role is being played in workshops by Julian Ovenden, who is also linked to the new Bridget Jones musical, alongside Jenna Russell as Sylvia Llewelyn Davies (the role played on screen by Kate Winslet).

The musical, which, like the film, is being produced by Harvey Weinstein, is aiming for a West End debut late next year or early 2013. But it could face stiff competition from the likes of The Book of Mormon, Bridget Jones, Bend it Like Beckham and the new Spice Girls musical, which are all believed to be aiming for West End openings around that time.