THEATRE Adventures of Badger, Mole and Rat on stage
IN recent years Sherman Theatre has firmly established its Christmas productions as some of Cardiff’s essential seasonal treats.
Thousands of schools and families have been spellbound with the mix of storytelling, brilliant performances, fabulous sets and costumes (all created at Sherman Theatre by the talented team backstage), and the warm welcome from the staff who are dedicated to making every visit enjoyable.
This year in the main house, Sherman Theatre will present Kenneth Grahame’s classic book The Wind in The Willows in a new adaptation by Mike Kenny.
Mike is a prolific and popular writer for young people, and with shows like The Railway Children at London’s King’s Cross Station, his work has been seen by tens of thousands of people across the world. It will be directed by Lee Lyford whose recent work includes The Snow Queen for Bristol Old Vic.
In The Wind in The Willows, Mole discovers the Wide World beyond his home; but Rat just wants to mess about in boats; and for Toad it’s one fad after another – until he discovers cars and lands himself in bother; wise old Badger does his best to keep order, and as the friends head out on their adventures of a lifetime, he knows home will always be calling them back.
In the studio, The Magic Porridge Pot/Hud y Crochan Uwd is the show for the under-7s and their families which will be performed at separate shows in either English or Welsh.
Originally written by the Grimm Brothers, this adaptation is by Alun Saunders (whose adaptation of The Emperor’s New Clothes/Dillad Newydd yr Ymerawdwr was widely praised in 2016) and directed by Sherman Theatre’s associate director Gethin Evans. In the show, set in a village on the edge of the Enormous Forest, Aggie is always trying to help her mother and the other villagers, but often just ends up making a mess. One day she is given a magic pot which makes tasty porridge when she taps it and says ‘Cook little pot, cook.’ But when her mother can’t stop the pot, the town is filled with porridge – and Aggie’s help is really needed.
Both The Wind in The Willows and The Magic Porridge Pot/Hud y Crochan Uwd will overflow with music and song, fun and laughter and feature stunning sets and beautiful costumes, creating magical experiences for everyone this Christmas.
Rachel O’Riordan, Sherman Theatre’s artistic director, said: “It’s wonderful that so many people choose to spend festive family time with us here at Sherman Theatre. We love creating work for younger and older audiences alike, and the Christmas shows bring people together of all ages which makes for such a special atmosphere.
“Christmas is often someone’s first experience of coming to the theatre and it’s a privilege to create work that sparks imaginations and creates memories that last a lifetime.”
The Wind in The Willows plays from December 1–30 while The Magic Porridge Pot/Hud y Crochan Uwd is on November 3 and 4 plus November 25 to December 30.
As in previous years, audiences across South Wales will get the opportunity to see the show on tour as it will visit Merthyr Tydfil, Ystradgynlais, Pontardawe, Newport, Blackwood, Pontypridd, Maesteg, Porthcawl and St Donats, with some additional venues to be confirmed.