Review of “The Wind in The Willows” York Theatre Royal: 22nd July – 21st August 2010.

The experience begins the minute you walk through the main door of the Theatre Royal, and you realise that this is far more than a summer play – it’s an experience. The theatre interior has been magically transformed, by designers Lydia Denno and Catherine Chapman, with incredible imagination, and huge effort, setting the scene for a dazzling production. 

The auditorium itself is adapted to theatre-in-the round: The stage is raised to circle level and seating is set up against the back wall.  So – no stage or curtains – you feel part of the action, and throughout the production, you can see the delighted faces of the audience opposite.  As people take their seats surrounding the wonderful set of the woodland and Toad Hall, there is a sense of mounting excitement as the woodland animals chat and mingle with the audience, creating a unique but unintimidating atmosphere of involvement.

The sumptuous lighting design by Richard G. Jones allows us to see and feel the changing seasons in the wood, and it sets the moods and themes of the play.  At times, it almost gives the feeling of watching a Chekhov play. The direction by Damien Cruden and Katie Posner, is imaginative and inspired – the pace alternates between fast, furious and athletic, and at times, gentle and thoughtful.  The use of props is so imaginative and funny that it had the audience laughing out loud every time a new prop came on. The costumes by Linda Denno and Catherine Chapman are delightful - the animals are instantly recognisable but we can see their faces and expressions –I particularly liked Mole’s huge padded bottom, Toad’s huge tummy, and the costumes of the little animals, played wonderfully by the children of the Young People’s Company.

The story sticks fairly closely to Kenneth Grahame’s gentle and funny childrens’ book, but it won’t matter if you haven’t read it, as the adaptation by Mike Kenny is inspired, hilarious and true to the feel of the book.  I won’t spoil the story for you by telling you the details of the plot. The first half of the play is spent by the riverbank with Mole, touchingly played by Robert Pickavance, and the hilarious and endearing Ratty, played by Jonathan Race.   In the first half, here is a stunning musical surprise.  The music, by Christopher Madin, throughout the production, is terrific – merging seamlessly with the action, and played live by the dashing and inscrutable Kenji Wantabe (Rabbit), the very talented Richard Mark (Fox) and the engaging and versatile Emilia Brodie (Otter).  In the second half, we have the hilarious adventures of the ebullient Mr Toad (played with great humour and flair by the irrepressible Martin Barrass).  The athleticism by the actors is quite staggering throughout, as in the fight scene (directed by Jonathan Jaynes).  The finale is marvellous.

The actors are all fantastic – Michael Lambourne’s weasel is hilarious, and badger, played by Sarah Parks, is captivating.  This cast of multi-talented actors and musicians, and the whole supporting cast, tell us the story beautifully: The whole experience is delightful, surprising, imaginative and hilarious.

As we leave the theatre, we almost feel as if all the characters will still be there in the wood. There is a feel in this production of the resilience of nature and the transience of the efforts of human beings. As Badger said:

"People come - they stay for a while, they flourish, they build, and they go. It is their way. But we remain… We are an enduring lot, and we may move out for a time, but we wait, and are patient, and back we come. And so it will ever be."

Take your children, or your parents, or yourself, and go and see this production.  You won’t ever forget it.

Review by Lynn Cotton 
Tickets available here
Find out more about Wind in The Willows here beyondthewildwood.com