Based on the characters from Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame, produced by Christopher Brookes and Chloe-Jane Thorpe, and directed by Matthew Forbes, Mr Toad is an absolute delight.
The production features clever puppetry designs which make the characters of Mr Toad and Mole captivating to watch. Mr Toad’s mannerisms (from the original illustrations in the Kenneth Grahame books) have been exquisitely captured in this stage adaptation, which keeps the original theme, but with new twists and turns.
The set design by Kevin Jenkins is perfect for the show with most of the action taking place in and around Toad Hall. The idea of the ‘play within a play’ curtains is excellent, allowing for Toad to make his grand entrances!
The cast of three: Alex Clifford, Mr Toad’s puppeteer, Jack Sanders, who plays Badger and many other characters, and Florrie Stockbridge, who plays Ratty, is Mole’s puppeteer, and also plays many other characters, including the sly Miss Weasel, work together so well on stage.
The show is in two acts, in act one Mr Toad hears he has been left a horse and cart in his father’s will, as his father didn’t feel he was ready to inherit his fortune straight away which he is pretty ungrateful about. Toad and his friends crash the horse and cart – the cast moving in slow motion after this is excellent.
Toad is desperate for a fast car, and visits Miss Weasel, who talks him into handing over his fathers savings, which he has managed to find, and the keys to Toad Hall, in exchange for a fancy car.
But the car is not all it seems. Toad ends up in court, and the audience get to decide his fate.
In the second half, Toad manages to escape, and we see him in the distance cartwheeling across the countryside.
He ends up in many adventures mainly involving washing pants and pretending to be a ghost to scare Miss Weasel. He manages to get Toad Hall back and realises how important his friends are.
There is plenty of audience participation and lots for children of all ages to get involved in, including singing, dancing, even being the jury at Mr Toad’s court hearing.
Poppy said her favourite parts of the show were the big car, the bubbles and Mr Toad, of course!
This really is a wondrous tale for children – and adults – of all ages.
★★★★
Mr Toad was at Curve Thursday 9 to Saturday 11 May
Monday 17 June – Tuesday 18 June 2024
Theatre Royal, NOTTINGHAM
Thursday 30 May – Sat 01 June 2024
Greenwich Theatre, LONDON
Friday 26 – Sunday 28 July 2024
Theatre Royal, WINCHESTER
Saturday 3 – Sunday 4 August 2024
Theatre Clwyd, MOLD – WALES
Friday 30 – Saturday 31 August 2024
Buxton Opera House, DERBYSHIRE
