Victoria Hislop's The Island Is Becoming a Musical -Here's What We Know
Victoria Hislop's bestselling novel The Island becomes a new musical at Mill at Sonning, exploring family secrets, courage, sacrifice and love across generations.
Victoria Hislop's international bestselling novel The Island is being transformed into a new musical at the Mill at Sonning, bringing its story of family secrets, sacrifice and love across generations to the stage.
Set against the Greek islands, the story follows a young woman whose search into her family's past leads her towards Spinalonga, the island that became a leper colony. Her investigation uncovers a hidden family history and forces her to confront experiences that shaped previous generations.
The story moves between the present and the past, revealing how illness, stigma, separation and love affected one family. What begins as an attempt to understand where she came from therefore becomes a much deeper journey into the choices and sacrifices made by the people who came before her.
A bestselling novel becomes a world-premiere musical
The new production will tell Hislop's story through original music and live theatre, bringing the Greek setting and its emotional family drama to the stage.
The Mill at Sonning describes the production as a sweeping new musical exploring identity, courage, sacrifice and the bonds that shape families. The creative team comes from the venue's acclaimed production of My Fair Lady, with the musical offering a new interpretation of Hislop's novel rather than a straightforward stage reproduction.
The format also gives the story a way to move between generations and different emotional perspectives. Songs can bring memories and relationships to the forefront while the production's setting provides a striking backdrop for a story shaped by the history of Spinalonga.
When is The Island on?
The Island receives its world premiere at the Mill at Sonning, with performances running from 10 June to 15 August 2027.
The production gives audiences the opportunity to discover Hislop's story in a new form, with the novel's themes of family, identity and sacrifice translated into a musical.
