RATTY, Mole, Badger and Toad will be on stage in Kingsley at the end of January in a new musical version of Kenneth Graham’s much-loved classic story, ‘Wind in the Willows’, first premiered at the London Palladium in 2017.
Award-winning Kingsley Players will be giving five performances of this charming tale, which has been delighting readers and audiences since the novel was first published more than a century ago.
Julian Fellowes, creator of Downton Abbey, is behind this latest adaptation, which features a range of wonderful songs from Messing About on a Boat to the Wild Wooders, Spring and Mr Toad’s Speed is of the Essence.
Director Lynn Pegler said: “We have a fantastic cast who are bringing this wonderful tale to life. Although the original Wind in the Willows was based around the River Thames, the story could easily have been set in Cheshire. The county’s beautiful scenery has been my inspiration for our version and audiences may spot some familiar scenes.
“Close your eyes and you can just imagine strolling along the River Weaver and spotting Ratty and Mole’s rowing boat in the reeds or chancing upon Badger’s burrow or the glinting eyes of stoats and weasels in Delamere Forest. Do come and see if the arrogant, over-the-top Mr Toad really can mend his ways!”
‘Wind in the Willows’, with music and lyrics by Olivier Award-winning duo George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, will be on stage at Kingsley Theatre in Kingsley Community Centre, from Wednesday 25 to Saturday 28 January 2023, 7.30pm, with a Saturday matinee, 2.30pm.
Tickets cost £10, with £7 tickets available for students/children. These can be booked online at www.kingsleyplayers.co.uk or by ringing the box office on 07724 892154.