Heart -Warming Charm for all the Family – Wind in the Willows at Theatre Royal Plymouth

The Wind in the Willows is a new musical version of Kenneth Grahame’s classic tale of friends Ratty, Mole, Badger and Toad and their adventures. The Show premiered this week at the Theatre Royal Plymouth and is going on a short tour before hoping to transfer to the West End. This new version comes with a book by Downton Abbey mastermind Julian Fellows as well as music and lyrics from George Stiles and Andrew Drewe who created the memorable songs from Marry Poppins.

Wind in the Willows Principal Cast

The show is a feel good heart -warming journey from start to finish; happy songs of provincial life fly by one after the other, period nostalgia for a simpler time is created in the music and costumes. Which draw on quintessentially British fashions between the 1920’s and 1940’s that evoke Grahame’s original illustrations. By using only iconic features of each animal, it reinforces the message that although it is a fictional story about animals it is really a story about people.

Things really start to get going once Toad becomes infatuated with the infamous motor car. Much like his driving, spectacles come thick and fast. From his grand transformation from glamping caravanner to motor menace; complete with 60’s inspired pop number including rap section, defiantly one of the most shamelessly cheesy bits of the show. The various locations are created with fantastic set pieces from the humble but cosy homes of Badger and Moles to a Dali style Toad Hall. A vast array of visual delights transport you through Toads escape from jail including a life size train, and barge; the extravagancies evident of its West End aspirations.

Toad the Glamping Caravaner

The highlight for me was the introduction of baddies the Wild Wooder’s, a hip stylish number with slick choreography. However the standout performance has to go to Neil McDermott who’s cockney gangster Chief Weasel evokes a mix of Russel Brands Flash Harry in 2007’s St Trinians film and Tom Hardy’s Alfie Solomon’s in 20’s set gang thriller Peaky Blinders. McDermott’s performance was the highlight of the show for me!!

In conclusion Fellows new production retains all the period charm of the literary classic and although it won’t set the house on fire it will leave you feeling happy and contented, full of joyous charm that I suspect will be around for a few years yet.