Amy Winehouse musical in development for the West End, according to reports

A stage musical based on the music of Amy Winehouse is officially in development, as originally reported by Variety and confirmed by The Guardian.

The project is in its early stages, with Broadway producer Catherine Schreiber (Cabaret, Rent) involved and casting currently underway. Mitch Winehouse, who oversees the late singer’s estate, is also believed to be participating.

WhatsOnStage has been tracking the journey of the show for a while, with workshop details listed on actors’ Spotlight profiles suggesting that development stages have been happening with increasing regularity. These have been directed by an award-winning rising star director with a strong track record for large-scale new plays and new musicals. Whether or not they will direct the final production has not been confirmed.

What form the piece will take (a biographical musical or feature an original story set to Winehouse’s catalogue) has not yet been confirmed.

News of the musical comes alongside a major live events honouring Winehouse’s legacy. Original album producers Mark Ronson and Salaam Remi joined the singer’s original band and artists including Jorja Smith, FLO, Corinne Bailey Rae, and Jessie Reyez for a concert at the Roundhouse in Camden to mark 20 years since the release of Back to Black.

The singer died in 2011 at the age of 27 of alcohol poisoning. In her brief but extraordinary career, she won six Grammys, a Brit Award for British Female Solo Artist and three Ivor Novellos.