7TH - 21ST DECEMBER, 2006
THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS
REDGRAVE THEATRE, CLIFTON

BRISTOL EVENING POST REVIEW - 11th December 2006

Family Classic Given a Musical Touch
Review by Gerry Parker

John Hartoch's adaptation of the Kenneth Grahame classic story is bright and breezy but, under his direction, the company fails to capture the unique charm of this tale of the adventures of Toad, Ratty and Mole.

There was such a full complement of music you almost felt that the show should be retitled Wind in the Willows - the Musical.

It was all admirably arranged by Neil Rhoden, including some hoedown rhythms that choreographer Gail Gordon made fine use of.

John Hartoch's production lifted the corner of Kenneth Graham's much-loved story and let us see the deeper meanings behind the characters' actions - none more than that of the flamboyant Mr Toad, who, in the hands of Oliver Millingham, clearly showed the self-inflicted problems that can result from selfishness and self-pity.

As a result, there were fewer laughs than usual generated by this central character.

Pick of the portrayals were Paul Jellis's sleek, beautifully understated Rat and Michelle Lukes's blinking, short-sighted Mole, which never slipped out of character.

With some first-class ensemble work and a hatful of good cameos, including Neil Jennings's Judge, David Oakes and Emma Clifford as the car owner and his wife, and Notzarina Reevers as the jailer's daughter, there was always plenty to enjoy in this thoughtful, pre-Christmas offering, which continues until Thursday December 21.

 

BBC ONLINE REVIEW - 15th December 2006

Student adventures with Mr Toad
Review by contributor Robin Markwell

Once again, the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School students have produced a refreshing antidote to pantos – or pantidote, if you will. There’s no smut, involuntary audience participation or C-list celebs.

Instead, Kenneth Grahame’s gentle tale of life on the riverbank – originally a bedtime story for his son – is allowed to breathe, albeit from beneath a raft of impressive facial hair.

I felt sure some whiskers would come unstuck in the Wild Wood but Badger’s beard clung in tightly, Otter’s sideburns would not stir and Ratty’s Terry Thomas-esque moustache – the centrepiece of the show – stayed in pristine shape throughout.

Indeed, Paul Jellis rather stole the show as this smooth, home-loving sophisti-rat which, as the detailed nature notes in the child-friendly programme will tell you, is actually a water vole.

The diet section of these self-same notes also indicates that in the wild Badger, Otter and even Toad might have eaten Ratty.

Nothing so red in tooth and claw here and, although Badger was wont to growl occasionally, it was his throat registering disapproval at Toad’s caprices and not his stomach sizing up his boat-loving friend.

The boat itself seemed to move by magic and, were that not enough for the stage designers to devise, a caravan and two motor cars also made appearances.
Oliver Millingham as Toad - picture Graham Burke

Naturally, the automobiles drove the most-entertaining Oliver Millingham as a Rik-Mayall-in-Jackanory-mode Toad into paroxysms of joy, leading to the excellent “Poop Poop” song that started as a stripey-blazered barbershop quartet and almost trumped the rousing full-cast gospel number “Go Down Toad” which rhymed truncheon with luncheon and dungeon.

John Hartoch’s clever word play in this adaptation meant there was plenty there to keep ma and pa entertained but, at comfortably over two hours-long, the script needed trimming to make it more suitable for the littl’uns.

A lengthy detour involving a sea rat and ducks flying South to force Ratty to think about the world beyond his cosy bank was an engaging discourse on the eternal conflict between the desire to travel and the longing for home but unnecessary here.

Likewise for the appearance of mystical Pan with his musical pipes that looked like he was sporting Mr. Tumnus’ leggings from last year’s production of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.

Each of the whole menagerie of animals from moorhens to mice, hedgehogs to horses, was beautifully-drawn and the ne’er-do-wells were split into amusing factions of cockney ferrets, Scouse stoats and Ulstermen weasels – one of which sounded uncannily like the Reverend Ian Paisley when calling the hordes to arms before a whizzo battle scene.

Warm and witty, if a touch too long, this lively retelling will leave you humming its memorable airs well into turkey-carving season.