A Sneak Peek into the Development ARTEMIS FOWL THE MUSICAL

If you grew up in the early 2000s, you’ll likely remember the slender black covers of the Artemis Fowl series glimmering in classroom libraries. For those unfamiliar, Artemis is a twelve-year-old millionaire who happens to be a prodigious criminal mastermind. He discovers the existence of fairies—sleek, efficient, well-armed creatures living underground—and decides he’d quite like to exploit them for their gold. Naturally, things don’t go to plan. One particularly ferocious elf named Holly Short becomes an adversary beyond anything he could have imagined, triggering a high-stakes confrontation between the mortal and fairy worlds.

Since its release in 2001, Artemis Fowl has spawned legions of fans who revel in its audacious blend of science fiction, folklore, and wry humour. A Walt Disney film adaptation eventually arrived, but for many, it didn’t quite capture the novel’s mischievous magic. Enter ARTEMIS FOWL THE MUSICAL, which aims to fuse the enchantment of Eoin Colfer’s world with the live immediacy of theatre. Developed by special arrangement with Disney Theatrical, it’s currently in workshop stages, meaning the creative team are experimenting with scenes, songs, and staging in front of a small, invited audience. These behind-closed-doors sessions allow for rewrites, re-choreographing, and orchestrating each musical number before it faces a larger public.

The Brilliant Minds Bringing it to Life

When you talk about a new musical, people often demand to know two things: Who wrote the music, and who’s directing the spectacle? In this case, the answers are rather delightful. Eoin Colfer himself has authored the book (the script), lending the project an extraordinary authenticity. After all, who better to shape Artemis’s witty dialogue than the man who invented him? The music is composed by Liam Bates, an accomplished composer in both film and stage, while lyrics come from both Colfer and Bates. If you’ve ever hummed along to the more whimsical tracks in Disney’s repertoire, you can start warming up your vocal cords in anticipation of this new spin on the Fowl-verse.

As for the director, Scott Graham of Frantic Assembly fame will helm the production. If that name rings a bell, it’s likely because you’ve seen a show that features Graham’s distinctive movement-based storytelling style, merging high-octane physicality with raw emotional potency. Although Frantic Assembly are best known for contemporary, visceral performances (think THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME), the notion of applying that dynamic approach to the fantastical world of fairies and criminal geniuses is downright thrilling. Graham has already promised something “mythical, fantastical, hilarious and immensely touching,” which suggests we can expect a dizzying blend of spectacle and heart.

Though the workshop has only just happened—on 14 March, to be precise—industry insiders are already buzzing. Workshops are often low-key affairs, usually attended by a few producers, creative collaborators, and potential investors. Yet the very fact it’s being talked about publicly indicates confidence in the project. Disney Theatrical’s involvement points to a scale that could match hits like THE LION KING or ALADDIN if all goes well.

Moreover, Colfer has always envisioned Artemis Fowl as inherently theatrical. He’s been quoted saying that when he wrote the original novel, he pictured the story unfolding like a musical in his mind. That’s a significant detail: many musicals are based on successful novels, but not every author planned for them to be staged. If Colfer conceived certain scenes in a way that begs for singing and dancing, then the adaptation has a head start in capturing the comedic energy and emotional heft of the source material.

Add to that the universal appeal of the storyline. Artemis is cunning and morally ambiguous, yet he has a vulnerability that resonates with audiences of all ages. The fairy world is a gorgeous mix of high-tech gadgets and Celtic legend, striking a balance that’s equally thrilling for young spectators and older theatregoers. Data from previous Disney Theatrical adaptations suggests that family-oriented musicals often top box office records; ALADDIN recently surpassed 2,000 performances in the West End, while THE LION KING remains one of Broadway’s longest-running productions. With Artemis Fowl already boasting millions of devoted fans worldwide, there’s every reason to believe the stage version could enjoy similar success.

A Deeper Layer Of Family, Fairies and Ambition

One angle that might surprise casual readers is that at its heart, Artemis Fowl can be quite reflective about family relationships. Artemis’s initial escapades are driven by a desperate need to save his father and restore his family fortune—he’s not merely plotting for the sake of mischief. Scott Graham touched on this duality, noting that the production isn’t just “a thrilling stand-off between the fairy and mortal worlds” but also an exploration of “how our hearts ache with pride, love and longing.”

Indeed, musicals often excel at capturing such emotional nuances. Just look at how Dear Evan Hansen or Billy Elliothandle adolescent turmoil and family bonds. If ARTEMIS FOWL THE MUSICAL follows in that tradition—balancing high-octane set pieces with quiet, poignant moments—it could speak to an even broader audience. Imagine a stirring ballad for Artemis as he wrestles with the moral implications of abducting a fairy, or a comedic duet that underscores the fractious but affectionate bond between father and son. The raw drama inherent in the story might well be amplified by songs that add emotional depth.

The Secret Workshop

So, about that private workshop: it’s a standard practice in musical theatre development, akin to a rehearsal reading on steroids. A select group of performers, possibly including members of the final cast or simply talented stand-ins, present portions of the show to gauge what works and what feels clunky. Producers keep a watchful eye on audience reactions—where do they laugh, fidget, or sit spellbound? Directors and writers take copious notes, often revising entire sequences or shifting the show’s structure based on real-time feedback.

One can only imagine the excitement in that rehearsal room. Did they test out a major ensemble number featuring the fairy police? Perhaps they teased a comedic rap for Artemis’s loyal bodyguard, Butler. While details remain hush-hush, the presence of Pearson Casting and general management by Julian Stoneman and Jack Maple for MPSI Ltd underscores that this is serious business. The best musicals often spend years in such iterative processes before they debut on a major stage. If all goes well, the next workshop might be a more public affair, or we could see a short preview run in a smaller venue before the bright lights of the West End or Broadway beckon.

Colfer’s Passion for the Stage

A lesser-known facet of Eoin Colfer is that he cut his teeth on playwriting long before Artemis Fowl. In fact, he revealed that he learned to read by rehearsing lines with his mother when he was just four years old, and even wrote a play about the Norse gods at school. If that’s not a sign he was always destined for theatre, I don’t know what is. This sense of personal mission—bringing beloved literary creations to a form he’s adored since childhood—infuses ARTEMIS FOWL THE MUSICAL with an extra layer of authenticity.

Colfer has described the development process as “a literal dream come true,” emphasising how the book’s success, and now Disney Theatrical’s blessing, has paved the way for this new chapter. That personal investment often translates into a final product that’s thoughtful, lovingly detailed, and faithful to the spirit of the original story.

These are still early days—no official opening date, no marquee lined with sparkling fairy wings just yet. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned from the many musicals I’ve followed from infancy to star-studded premieres, it’s that a passionate creative team coupled with a tried-and-true storyline can lead to theatrical gold. ARTEMIS FOWL THE MUSICAL may still be in the workshop phase, but the confluence of Eoin Colfer’s commitment, Liam Bates’s musical prowess, and Scott Graham’s innovative directorial style is nothing short of tantalising.

And perhaps the best part? Theatre never ceases to evolve. By the time we finally see Artemis stepping onto that stage—plotting against fairies, grappling with family drama, and belting out the odd show tune—it will likely have changed in ways we can’t even imagine. After all, musicals are living, breathing beasts: they grow in front of our eyes, forging a shared moment between audience and performer that no film or book can replicate quite the same way. So keep your ear to the ground, watch those press releases like a hawk, and brace yourself for a show that just might whisk you off into a world where fairy magic and human ingenuity collide in a most spectacular fashion. Who knows—maybe it’ll inspire you to craft your own fairy trap again, cat or no cat. Because that’s the promise of theatre: to remind us we’re never too old to believe—or be surprised by—a bit of mischief and enchantment.