Tom Stoppard's Stage Adaptation of Shakespeare in Love Aims for London Run

A stage adaptation of the Oscar-winning 1998 film Shakespeare in Love is currently in development from Disney Theatrical and producer Sonia Freedman, according to Variety. Tony winner Tom Stoppard, who scored an Oscar for co-writing the screenplay with Marc Norman, is set to pen the show, which is aiming for a London launch. Tony winner and frequent Stoppard collaborator Jack O'Brien (The Coast of Utopia) is expected direct the play. No casting or dates have been announced.

Winner of seven Academy Awards, Shakespeare in Love humorously re-imagines the Bard's attempt to write his masterpiece, Romeo and Juliet. Suffering from writer's block while working on the tentatively titled Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter, Shakespeare (played onscreen by Joseph Fiennes) finds his muse in a beautiful actress (Gwyneth Paltrow in her Oscar-winning role) who dresses as a man to star in the show. Directed by John Madden, the film also featured Tony winners Judi Dench (who won an Oscar for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth I) and Geoffrey Rush.

Shakespeare in Love is one of many shows currently in development from Disney Theatrical. The production company will help bring Peter and the Starcatcher to Broadway in spring 2012 and rumors continue to circulate around a Broadway transfer of Newsies. Disney is also prepping Alice in Wonderland, Freaky Friday, Dumbo, The Jungle Book and Father of the Bride for the stage.