The Wind in the Willows

The 

The Wind in the Willows is a well-known children’s book, written by Kenneth Grahame, and adapted as a musical by Julian Fellowes, George Stiles, and Anthony Drew – what a pedigree! The show lives up to expectations, with the tale of the bumptious Toad of Toad Hall being rescued from his own follies by the wise Ratty, the gentle courageous Mole, and the irascible Badger, with a whole forestful of other animals along the way.

The Guildhall at Grantham is an impressive building housing the theatre, and I was warmly welcomed by members of the committee and presented with an impressive colour programme.

In the theatre, the ambience was family-friendly, and the musical director Elaine Bishop led a small but well-balanced band in the pit who played beautifully under her baton, supporting the talented singers who belong to this group. The voices were very good, and the harmonies generally clear and obviously well-rehearsed.

The director Amanda Taylor and her assistant Jo Toomey had all of the technical side of the production set up well, with good sound and lighting, simple but adequate scenery (though I wasn’t sure about the little triangles of vegetation which kept appearing and disappearing at the front of stage). The graphics were good though the projection screen did oscillate rather unnervingly at times! The large stage props such as the cart were delightful and very effective, and the smaller props also. The costumes were excellent – the costume lady obviously has a large budget. Makeup was well done too – this show needs a good make-up team.

Covid had apparently wreaked havoc with some of the principals in the week prior to show-week, but you wouldn’t have known it. Everyone seemed to be on top form, with excellent casting. Particular mention must go to Len Batey as Mr Toad – he managed to combine arrogance, vanity and stupidity and yet remain entirely lovable. Steve Sale as the redoubtable Rat and Oliver Hook as gentle Mole were perfect in their parts too, with good support being given by Emma Woolley as Mrs Otter, Jasmine Slater as Portia, Matthew Brown as the evil Chief Weasel, and Trevor Galtress as good old Badger. A particular favorite of mine from this show is the Hedgehog’s Nightmare song, which has such clever words and was well performed by Mr. and Mrs. Hedgehog (Alfie Rains and Emma Inglesant).

In summary, a show which was thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish. The audience when I attended had lots of children in it, but it was not a full house – which is a shame because that is what the production deserved. This is a show which ought to be done more often than it is. It is a delight. I suspect the reason that it isn’t is because it must be expensive in terms of costumes – so well-done Harrowby Singers – and a welcome return to the NODA fold.

 

 

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