The Wind in the Willows at The Actors Church

The Wind in the Willows at The Actors Church

03 June, 2010
by: Naima Khan

Weasels, otters, and field mice join Rat, Mole and Badger in this promenade adaptation of the classic children's tale.

In the sunny gardens behind St Paul's Church, a squirrel and a rabbit are playing badminton, cheered on and distracted by a gaggle of hedgehogs, more rabbits and more squirrels. This surreal sporting dalliance plunges the audience straight into the riverbank world of Ratty and Mr Mole who soon show up with a boat and a picnic before being rudely interrupted by an otter. General woodland antics ensue amidst this theatrical retreat in the middle of central London, cleverly created by Iris Theatre just in time for summer.

Opening up the quaint dwellings of Kenneth Grahame's woodland creatures, director Daniel Winder has created a family friendly promenade production of Alan Bennet's adaptation of The Wind in the Willows. You're likely to find yourself sitting next to a hedgehog or set upon by a man-sized squirrel if your picnic looks appealing, but feed him a snack and he'll soon scamper off towards Ratty's immaculate house, Badger's cosy kitchen or Moley's hole. Such are the efforts that have gone to transforming the church gardens into a busy riverbank of mischief.

But wait till you see Toad Hall. St Paul's Church lends itself brilliantly to Toad's opulence as it's reclaimed from the dastardly weasels by our well-loved, unlikely heroes. Here's where Winder's production really triumphs, in the acting. Wandering around among the audience, preparing for the second half, the actors remain in character during the interval and treat some curious kids to improv.

The cast have the audience falling for Mr Mole (Laura Wickham), Rat (Robert Lonergan,), Toad (Laurence Saywood) and Badger (Matthew Mellalieu). Mellalieu in particular morphs flawlessly from the horribly coarse otter to wise old Badger, and Laurence Saywood's Toad is all that we love about the extravagant, cheeky amphibian. The team of support actors – from the mean weasels to the poor put upon horse – elevate the entire production. At two and a half hours it's a little long, but varied enough in pace and tone to keep everyone entertained. A great outdoor theatre experience for children and their families this summer. 

The Wind in the Willows runs at The Actors Chruch until 2nd July

Illustration by E.H. Shepherd

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Naima Khan