Brilliant adaptation of children’s classic
The Wind in the Willows, Sherman Theatre, Cardiff
This production, one of two Christmas offerings for children by the Sherman Theatre this year, is a brilliant adaptation of the much-loved book by Kenneth Grahame.
Featuring the mellow but adventurous Mole (Jessica Murrain) and her animal friends Rat (Dominic Rye), Badger (Zara Ramm) and the eccentric Toad (Keiron Self), the story meanders as gently as stream on a lazy summer’s day. Told in flashbacks, our four friends gather in the derelict, dusty Toad Hall as they recall “it all started here”, and so begins a colourful retelling of the riverbank adventures contained in the classic 1908 novel. The show is a blast right from the moment Mole leaves her home and steps out blinking into the light for the very first time. But the shaggy dog story plays second fiddle to the excellent acting and the imaginative staging.
Meanwhile, the talented and versatile cast not only play their parts with a physicality that perfectly summons up the animals they are mimicking, but they also provide the score – each playing musical instruments in the background when they are not centre stage. The props, staging and costumes are inventive in the cosy confines of the Sherman. From the way yellow souwesters and wellies conjure up dancing ducks for a musical highlight, to bunnies jumping on pogo sticks and even remote controlled cars for a key plot point, there are plenty of visual feasts to savour. The ensemble cast is superb. Toad, as any fan of the book will now, has the funniest lines and Keiron Self really inhabits the role – the sheer glee on his face as he leaps enthusiastically into another fleeting and dangerous obsession is a joy to behold.
Overall, The Wind in the Willows is a bright and breezy romp through a treasured piece of children’s fiction. And judging by the audience’s reaction, with plenty of laughter and applause throughout the two-hour show, it’s one that will appeal to a broad spectrum of ages. Hydref Williams The Wind in the Willows runs until December 30. For more information call the Sherman Theatre box office on 029 2064 6900 or visit www.shermantheatre.co.uk