The Wind in the Willows

Based on the well-known and oft-read story by Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows, written by Julian Fellowes (Downton Abbey) with music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drew of Mary Poppins fame, follows the adventures of Mole, Ratty (the Water Rat), Toad and Badger - taking us on a trip from riverbank to Toad Hall and back again by way of road, wild wood and even a prison, using planes, trains and automobiles! Of course, this trip through the countryside would be nothing without meeting the fauna dotted around our countryside - some good, some bad, and some probably endangered nowadays! So, was it poop poop, or not?

James shield played the role of the egotistical Mr Toad. Mr Toad’s penchant for speed and inclination towards never learning his lessons got him in all kinds of scrapes. Dressed rather similarly to a certain Geordie comedian, James played Mr Toad with the fervour and boundless energy the role demands, drawing the audience in to his madcap antics. As ever, James`s diction and vocals were absolutely en-pointe.

Steve Johnson’s measured performance as Mole gave us gave us some wonderful characterisation - occasionally hard-work, awkward, vulnerable, sensitive and naive in equal measure, showing loyalty to all those he met, without ever asking for anything in return. Steve mentions that he fell in love with the story years ago and with his embodiment of the character you could tell that this was a labour of love. Some of my favourite scenes in the production were between Mole and Ratty- Sam Wickes’s Ratty was the perfect foil for Mole both immediately striking up a rappore with each other, yet you could easily have believed that these were two loyal friends who`d known each other forever. Again, with the both of them, diction and vocals were top notch.

The distinguished sophistication and intelligence were perfectly encapsulated in Ray Jenkinson`s performance as Badger. Stoic and erudite throughout when Ray`s Badger spoke you listened (unless, of course you were Mr Toad). Forgive me for repeating myself, but Ray's diction and vocals were spot on.

Jenny Gilpin and Ashleigh Hartin took on the roles of Mrs Otter and Portia, her daughter, punctuating, and in some ways leading the story to it’s inevitable conclusion.

Ryan Fisher played the rather Spivvy Chief Weasel , with girlfriend Sheryl Stoat,( played by Susie Romaniuk -a far cry from Eliza) with great zeal. On the night I went, the Lesser Weasel was ill (hopefully not Leptospirosis), so Susie had to double up on both her roll and his - she stoatally nailed it. Apparently Matt Boardman managed to play the Lesser for many of the nights, so easily slotted back in.

One of my favourite scenes in this show has to be the Hedgehog`s Nightmare song with Mr and Mrs Hedgehog (Andy Whittle and Francesca Marriner)  and their children (Lucy Bunce, Lola Tattersall - on the night I saw it), trying to cross the road. On the other nights, Alex Glen and Millie McIntosh played the children, and they were as equally impressive, I am told.

I apologise for not being too descriptive about the characters other than Toad, Mole, Rat and Badger, but there are only so many times you can use “good” or “great”, which everyone`s characterisations and vocals were, including the many other woodland creatures we met during this adventure. Everybody who played any of the roles - major or minor, could be perfectly understood throughout this quintessentially English production.

Great Lighting, sound, costumes and scenery were all knit to put this production together, and whilst everything individually works well, and everybody’s performance was well crafted- for some reason, the show doesn`t seem to gel for me. I can`t put my finger on why - maybe it`s the breakneck pace of the end of Act One with Act Two never really attaining the same level or not, I don’t know - and maybe that’s why it didn`t have as long a run as one would expect from the writer. Like I said earlier all performances and characterisation were great but for me, the sum of the parts doesn`t always equal the whole - that`s how I feel about the show - not the production.

Musical Director Tracie Penwarden-Allan must have had a ball with this one with a great orchestra and performers who`d worked hard-obvious due to every word being understood.

Choreography under the capable hands (or should I say feet) of Vanessa Whittle and Shannon Whittle was effective and reflective of the characters the people were playing.

Vanessa Whittle, also directing this show, should be pleased and proud of the performance level attained by the cast and company.

Thank you Lancaster Red Rose for your invite and hospitality.

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