THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS

FUN Rufus Hound as Toad of Toad Hall

Kenneth Grahame’s immortal story gets a musical makeover from Julian ‘Downton Abbey’ Fellowes, with Rufus Hound delivering a raucous performance as the aristocratic amphibian Toad of Toad Hall.

Toad seeks to reclaim his ancestral home from the invading stoats and weasels, and is accompanied by gallant footsoldiers Ratty, Mole and the grumpybut-wise Badger (Gary Wilmot).

The scatterbrained Toad endures humiliations with irrepressible idiocy like the green Twit Of The Year he is.

Lots of fun, plenty of action (including car chases and battle scenes) and a little bit of ‘human’ interest in its depiction of enduring friendship and loyalty, this is a rousing, life-affirming musical for children and grown-ups alike. Parp, parp!

Available to rent for £4.99 for 72 hours.

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK

Never mind dangling from a rope to clean Big Ben’s clock face, former Blue Peter daredevil Peter Duncan has taken on his biggest challenge to date by creating a DIY panto in his back garden.

A critically acclaimed panto dame, writer, actor and director, Duncan has taken his jack-of-all-trades persona literally with this enormously entertaining trad panto, complete with ingenious sets, fabulous costumes and a real beanstalk.

Available online from December 4-January 10, tickets are £20. It will also be screened in Everyman and Showcase cinemas during the festive period.

The Oxford-based digital theatre specialists have turned their forensic attention to the story of young Dorothy and her dog Toto who are whisked away by a tornado to the Land of Oz.

Accompanied by the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion and the Scarecrow, Dorothy travels the Yellow Brick Road in an inventive, engaging new version played live in real time with a cast of eight actors (plus a special guest star cameo) working remotely. “Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.”

Available from December 19-January 3, tickets are £30 per device/household.