Paul McCartney adapts It’s A Wonderful Life into a stage musical

### How did the *It’s A Wonderful Life The Musical* journey begin? **Bill Kenwright** had previously tried to obtain the rights to *It’s A Wonderful Life* as a young man but was refused. After receiving the rights, Kenwright approached McCartney three years ago, over an email, and after the pair met up with **Lee Hall**, the interest was well and truly piqued. McCartney will write the music and lyrics; Hall will also write lyrics as well as the book for the project. The first stage adaptation of the 1946 film is set to open late 2020. ### About the legendary creators **Bill Kenwright** is a British theatre producer and director. He is hugely celebrated for his work in the entertainment industry, having received his CBE in 2002, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Theatrical Management Association in 2008, and was even honoured by BBC Radio 2 with a special episode of *Friday Night is Music Night* broadcast from the **London Palladium** in 2017. He is most well known for his work on the iconic *Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat* and *Blood Brothers*. His other works include [***Heathers The Musical***](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/3137/heathers-the-musical-tickets.aspx) ([**The Other Palace**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/155/other-palace.aspx) and [**Theatre Royal Haymarket**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/24/theatre-royal-haymarket.aspx)), *The Exorcist* ([**Phoenix Theatre**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/2/phoenix-theatre.aspx)) and *Evita* (**Phoenix Theatre** and [**Dominion Theatre**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/16/dominion-theatre.aspx)). **Paul McCartney** is a singer-songwriter and composer. He has been inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, as a member of **The Beatles** and as a solo artist. McCartney has been knighted, receiving both a CH and MBE, and has won 18 Grammy Awards. As well as his monumental career with The Beatles and his solo work, he has collaborated with various artists, including **Rihanna** and **Kanye West**, and has written music for a video game soundtrack. *It’s A Wonderful Life* will be the first musical McCartney has ever worked on. **Lee Hall** is a playwright, screenwriter and lyricist. He is most popularly regarded for writing the 2000 film [***Billy Elliot***](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/242/billy-elliot-tickets.aspx) and the book and lyrics for its musical stage adaptation. He most recently received acclaim for the 2019 **Elton John** biopic *Rocketman*. The musical had successful runs both in the West End and on Broadway where it received a Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical. He has shared credits with **Richard Curtis** for the screenplay of the film adaptation of [***War Horse***](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/721/war-horse-tickets.aspx). His most recent TV work is an adaptation of **Nigel Slater**’s [***Toast***](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/3842/nigel-slaters-toast-tickets.aspx) which starred **Helena Bonham Carter** and **Freddie Highmore**. ### What is the story of *It’s A Wonderful Life*? *It’s A Wonderful Life* is one of the most beloved films of all time and particularly a favourite Christmas time film. It’s a universal story that has had a place in the hearts of generation after generation and the story remains relevant still today. It follows the story of George Bailey, a man who is contemplating suicide on Christmas Eve, but after a guardian angel shows him what the world would be like without his kind deeds and selflessness, he comes to a heart-warming epiphany. * * * [**Sign up to our mailing list**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/4228/its-a-wonderful-life-tickets.aspx) to be alerted of news about *It’s A Wonderful Life* and other theatre news.