Directors Preview by Carol Davies
Kenneth Graham wrote ‘Wind in the Willows’ for his son Alistair and it has been beloved by generations of children, and adults, ever since. The story, written in 1908, was first adapted for stage by A.A. Milne (later the creator of ‘Winnie the Pooh’) in December 1929 under the title ‘Toad of Toad Hall’. It premiered at the Liverpool Playhouse before moving to the West End. Since then it has been performed many thousands of times all over the world.
Disney created a version in 1949 and when Disneyland opened in 1955 it featured Mr Toad’s Wild Ride. In fact this is one of the few original rides remaining in the park today. Alan Bennett famously adapted the story for the National Theatre in 1990, and there have also been a number of ballets and musical versions, including one by Julian Fellowes in 2016.
This stage adaptation by Mike Kenny, first performed in York Theatre Royal in 2010, depicts the Weasels as estate agents, trying to sell Toad Hall off for luxury housing. Visiting a very dilapidated and overgrown Toad Hall, Mole, Rat, Badger and Toad recall days past.
The company – cast and crew -have worked hard to retell this classic story, and the incidental music created by Ian Ball enhances our tale.
Kenneth Graham was actually a banker. He had a successful career at the Bank of England for 30 years, and retired only after a man entered the bank and fired a gun at him three times, thankfully missing. The attacker was found to be insane and ended up serving life in Broadmoor.
The World has held great heroes
As history books have told
But never a name to go down to fame,
Compared with that of Toad.