Toad of Toad Hall

Published Wednesday 12 December 2007 at 12:05 by Hugh Homan

Enthusiasm rather than style characterises John Newman’s somewhat lacklustre production.

Gone are Kenneth Grahame’s Edwardian originals so that in Richard Lindlater’s adaptation we have Mole in a mad car dash through a monochrome Los Angeles, plenty of chases by the company through the audience and the inevitable panto accretions of audience participation and some unnecessary business with a balloon between Toad and the Washerwoman.

However, David Martin is an agreeable Ratty (although his eye make-up does suggest a canine rather than rattus origin), Jamie Addleton an avuncular Badger and John Fleming a likeable Mole. Zach Vanderfelt’s Toad is suitably pompous but endearing. Richard Grayling makes effective use of his wonderfully mellifluous voice as a scary evil Weasel, while Horace the Horse (alas, uncredited) has some very entertaining moments.

The scenery is jolly, a colourful rowing boat and barge arrive on the river at appropriate moments and the young dancers from the Morgan Academy of Performing Arts acquit themselves honourably. Maddie Banks-Maxwell on keyboards provides excellent accompaniment from the pit and the cast sing lustily. The time passes agreeably enough.