It has been announced that AUSTENLAND, a new musical based on the 2007 novel by Shannon Hale, will have its world premiere with two concert workshop performances at the Savoy Theatre on 24 March.

The new musical is the third musical adaptation from the writers of The Book Thief and Between the Lines, with a book by award-winning best-selling author Jodi Picoult and Timothy Allen McDonald, and music & lyrics by Kate Anderson and Elyssa Samsel.

West End star Lucie Jones will star as Jane Hayes, with further casting to be announced.

Meet Jane Hayes – unlucky-in-love and Austen-obsessed, she’s ditching the dating apps for a dream vacation to Austenland, where every dance, duel, and scandal promises a taste of Regency romance.

But beneath the corsets and cravats lies a world where nothing is as it seems, and love is never scripted. Is the mysterious Mr Nobley an authentic suitor… or an actor who works for Austenland? Is the gorgeous gardener the real deal? Will Jane become fully immersed in the fantasy or could her true Mr Darcy be the person she least expects…

Co-Librettists Jodi Picoult and Timothy Allen McDonald said: “In today’s world, we need some joy — which is why we wanted to create a musical that was a wink to Pride and Prejudice in a post-Bridgerton world. AUSTENLAND is a delightful escape for anyone who’s ever pined over Mr. Darcy… or for anyone who's never understood his appeal. We promise songs that you’ll sing in the shower for weeks, laugh-out-loud jokes, and a reminder that everyone deserves a grand romance.”

AUSTENLAND will be directed by Jonathan O’Boyle, with choreography by Joanna Goodwin, musical supervision, orchestration and arrangements by Matthew Malone, musical direction by Natalie Pound, design by Polly Sullivan, lighting by Jack Weir, and sound by Sound Quiet Time.

Tickets go on sale for AUSTENLAND today (6 February) at 12pm, with further info here.