Wind in the Willows leaves audience hearts aglow

One does not argue about the merits – good or otherwise – of The Wind in the Willows.

A A Milne’s advice should always be borne in mind: As the first writer to adapt Kenneth Grahame’s enduring story for the stage, he obviously spoke from experience.

Although there are the Grinches who try, it is impossible to dislike this story or its characters. To criticise or attack it, is akin to kicking a labrador puppy. It is quite simply bad form.

The latest production at The Court Theatre continues the long tradition of warming the Christmas spirit with Alan Bennett’s 1990 stage adaptation.

Walking into the Court’s auditorium, one glance at the stage tells you your emotions are going to be enjoyably tweaked by this production.

Set designer Julian Southgate’s faded gold Edwardian proscenium arch is gently swathed in ivy to evoke the gentle romantic vision of a lost Arcadia through which the story flows with a clever use of lighting and stage devices.

The production features Cameron Rhodes in splendid form as a noisily egocentric Toad. I am tempted to report moments when this rumbustious Mr Toad seems to channel a certain Trumpian influence but perhaps I have been watching too much TV lately. Toad’s bluster is wellmatched by Gregory Cooper’s reassuringly solid and sensible Ratty, and Eilish Moran as an endearing Mole. In the role of Badger, Tom Trevella is every inch the gruff but soft-hearted patriarch.

As the play’s central characters, this quartet never puts a foot – or a paw – wrong.

A special salute also to Andrew Todd who provided a gem of a performance as Albert, Toad’s world-weary and melancholic philosopher horse. For me he stole every scene. From the smallest field mouse to the dastardliest of weasels, the entire cast seemed to be in perpetual motion, each playing several characters with a beguiling ability to convey individual personality – always a difficult thing to accomplish credibly in a play of this nature.

By story’s end, The Wind in the Willows’ old familiar glow had been inserted into the audience’s collective heart before sending us out into a much colder, harder and more complicated world.

The Wind in the Willows is running at The Court Theatre in Christchurch until midJanuary.