The Wind in the Willows

Wow, WBLOS, what a joy it was to join you on the riverbank for your vibrant, heart-filled production of The Wind in the Willows. From start to finish, it was clear that this wasn’t just a musical, it was a celebration of community, creativity, and the sheer fun of putting on a show together. And I sensed, as a newbie to the world of the Wind in the Willows, community seems to at the heart of this wonderful show anyway, you just added MORE!

Stiles and Drewe’s 2016 musical of Kenneth Grahame’s beloved tale isn’t a small task for any company, but you all approached it with such heart, humour, and dedication that the story felt entirely fresh and deeply personal. The charm of the decorated RWB Memorial hall only added to the magic, inviting us in like old friends to watch something truly special unfold. And I have said it before and will say it again, those seats are the most comfortable that I have ever had the privilege to sit in to watch a show.

To our ever-enthusiastic Mr Toad (Played by Rhys) what a whirlwind! Every entrance was electric, full of comic timing and larger-than-life energy. You brought so much joy and mischief to the stage, and your physical comedy had the whole audience chuckling with my personal favourite being the dressing scene in “To be a Woman”, I laughed so hard. The character’s chaotic charm was perfectly pitched so very well done, or should I say, POOP-POOP!

Mole (Played by Eve), where have you been hiding? No literally where? You are normally behind the scenes directing/choreographing if I recall correctly, but WBLOS, Am Dram, THE WORLD needs to see you out on that stage playing any role, any role at all! Your character was gentle, endearing, and full of warmth. Your journey from shy newcomer to brave friend was a lovely thread through the story, and your scenes were always grounded in such sincerity. I cannot wait to see more of you. Truly the standout performance in my opinion.

Rat (Played by Simon), you brought a genuine, realistic and calm confidence with a twinkle of mischief to Ratty and remade a well-beloved character for a whole new generation of people. Your friendship with Mole was genuinely moving, and your musical moments, especially “messing about in a boat on the river”, were beautifully delivered. A great performance.

Badger (Played by Richard), your presence anchored the show, and (don’t take this the wrong way) you looked so perfectly like Badger. The hair, the beard and the mannerisms were spot on. You had such a strong command of the stage and brought a depth of authority and heart to every scene. There’s something so comforting about a Badger done well, and you absolutely nailed it.

To you, Chief Weasel (played by Tammy) and your merry band of rogues, including Lesser Weasel and Sheryl Stoat (played by Beccy Roberts and Hay Blake respectively), what a treat! You were all funny, full of swagger, and wonderfully in sync. Your musical numbers were slick and full of character, and your commitment to every sneer, strut, and snarl was just delightful. I loved your rendition of “we’re taking over the hall” so much that I have been singing it ever since.

And I cannot finish without mentioning the Hedgehogs—Mr and Mrs— (played by Gary and Nicky) what can I say? You show that there is no such thing as small parts because you were giants in the comedy stakes. Every gesture, shuffle and comedic line had the audience in fits of laughter. Your commitment to the gag and character was a joy to watch.

And I must mention your wonderful Young Hedgehogs, you two added to the hilarity as I did not expect you to join in on “The Hedgehog’s Nightmare” and I was bowled over by your cuteness. A great job you guys!

Huge applause to your director (Rosalyn Hollands) for shaping a show that was so full of life, yet never lost sight of the emotional beats. The pacing was tight, the humour well-judged, and every character, no matter the size of the role, felt important. It’s not easy to bring such a large and diverse group together into a cohesive whole, but the warmth and ensemble spirit on stage spoke volumes.

The musical direction (by Richard Abrams) was spot on with the band merging well with the vocals and really great choices made with the direction. The harmonies (taught by Beccy Roberts) were confident, the solo work was clear and expressive, and the tricky group numbers came across with energy and purpose. It was obvious that time and care had been taken in the rehearsal room to help everyone find their musical voice. A huge well done to you both!

Choreography (again by Rosalyn Hollands) was fun, characterful, and smartly tailored to the cast. The movement never felt forced or out of place—it told the story just as much as the lyrics or lines did. Whether it was the swaggering Weasels or the Hedgehogs on car patrol, every move added something.

A big shout-out to the band—what a tight, supportive sound! You provided the perfect foundation without ever overpowering the performers. It’s not easy in a small hall, so if I may make a recommendation to the society, if you are having a band as large and wonderful as this, it may be advisable to move the first rows back a bit as the “live” sound was very powerful from the brass and woodwinds for me sat in the second row, although this being said, the musicianship really helped drive the story forward.

To all the tech crew, costume team, prop wranglers and set movers—you deserve every bit of applause too. The set was cleverly designed to suit the space, and the transitions were smooth and well-timed. Costumes were full of fun and character, and the little touches, like Toad’s ever-changing outfits or the many Wild Wooders accessories really added to the visual storytelling.

And to Front of House…

Thank you for the warmest of welcomes. The whole experience—from the raffle to interval refreshments—was run with the same spirit of community and joy as the show itself. It made a real difference.

And finally, you should ALL be incredibly proud. This was a show full of love—for the story, for the stage, and for one another. What came across more than anything else was how much you clearly enjoyed performing together, and that’s the magic ingredient that no amount of budget or tech can replace.

Thank you for a beautiful evening.

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