“Wind in the Willows” is a classic story many adults read as a child but appreciated as an adult. Kenneth Grahame created the character of Toad as a cautionary tale for his wayward son, Alistair. He wrote many letters, which dated from 1907, and addressed his son as “My dearest Mouse” his nickname for him. Alistair was just seven but had already drawn an official complaint from park-keepers in London for kicking little girls. The letters were sent while the boy was on holiday in Littlehampton with his nanny. He had refused to go unless his father sent stories. Alistair wrote to his parents saying “I have made a vow that I will run away to the stage as soon as I can!!”

When the Mole escapes from the tedium of spring cleaning and embarks on a new life on the River Bank with his friend the Water Rat, he has little idea of the adventures ahead of him. And the greatest adventures of all are concerned with the vainglorious Toad, who is thrown into transports of delight and finally prison by his love of fast motor cars. It is a hard battle indeed for his friends, Rat, Mole and Badger to teach Mr Toad even a little sense.

The Priory Theatre has a large cast consisting of Anthony James as Toad, Tracy Pullen as Mole, Stuart Lawson as Badger and Mark Jefferies as Ratty. We have children for woodland animals and together with a boat, car, train, caravan and barge, the complexity of staging this on such a tiny stage is immense.

Come and join us at The Priory Theatre in a more gentle time on the riverbank, where you can laugh at Toad’s antics, get scared for Mole’s encounters with the weasels, join Badger and Rat in their fight for Toad Hall.