A new musical adaptation of The Wind in the Willows has become the first West End production to raise GBP1m (€1.2m) through crowdfunding.
Over 400 members of the public made donations online through an equity crowdfunding system, which was set up by Jamie Hendry Productions.
Whilst the company had initially set a target of GBP650,000, growing public interest in the scheme meant the target was raised to GBP1m.
Investors could make donations of GBP1,000, GBP2,500 or GBP5,000, and have been offered a pro-rata share of 60 per cent of net profits.
Hendry said: ‘I was interested to learn that the vast majority of investors had not only never invested in the theatre before, but didn’t even realise it was an option.’
Adapted from the Kenneth Grahame’s famous children’s novel, The Wind in the Willows musical will be written by Julian Fellowes with music and lyrics from George Stiles and Anthony Drewe.