The Stage

The Wind In The Willows

Published Tuesday 27 July 2010 at 11:42 by Kevin Berry

From the team behind the Railway Children, currently showing at Waterloo Station, comes another outstanding family-focused production and another technical triumph.

The venerable Theatre Royal has been reconfigured into a genuine theatre-in-the round for this show. A circular stage takes up most of the stalls. The scenery, in what were the wings, could be from an early edition of the book, helped by the lighting which is utterly lovely.

Mike Kenny’s script is funny, clever and pointed in its championing of riverbank life. It has a warm heart but is never twee. At times, the theatrical invention on stage has the audience gasping in astonishment - OK, the first motor car to appear is simply three musicians dashing in - but the way they move and play is actually brilliant.

And maybe Martin Barrass’s Toad gripping a bedstead to show he is in jail sounds weak - but when the bedstead is passed to him, it is actually a thrilling moment.

The lucky folks in the front row get to hold long white sheets on their knees to help illustrate a snowfall.

The characters all move with studied, charming detail. Michael Lambourne is inspired as the Chief Weasel, who is also an estate agent trying to sell Toad Hall. Rob Pickavance is the perfect Mole and Sarah Parks a wonderfully world- weary Badger.

For Barrass, playing Toad gives him the opportunity to show a more disciplined approach to his clowning ability. His Toad bristles with comic energy and mischief.

There will be huge public pressure to extend this run or at least announce a repeat date.

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