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| The Wind In The Willows Christmas 2002 The Linbury Theatre (R.O H) Mandy Kent I am full of excited anticipation, like any child awaiting it’s Christmas treat. An empty stage… a deserted attic with an old wardrobe, a Windsor chair, a rolled-up rug. Here comes the Narrator, with a story for us. He sits and muses about times past. Music plays … and we are transported to the countryside home of Mole, sweet, blind Mole-y with his minor’s lamp hat and thick bottle-glass spectacles. He emerges from his burrow, snuffling at the fresh air, then stops and notices US. Wide-eyed yet shy, Mole smiles and blinks in embarrassment. Friends arrive, ducks a-dabbling on the silken, striped river, rabbits and butterflies chase about. The debonair and dashing Ratty comes sailing down the river, and hailing his friend, encourages him to come aboard. They row down the river, past Toad Hall, but suddenly it is late, and time for the friends to part. Now, Toad comes tumbling out of the wardrobe, tongue flapping and eyes popping. He explains the delights of caravanning to the two friends and they depart together, with trusty steed pulling them past idyllic country views. They are soon disturbed by the racing motor car hurtling past and upsetting the occupants of the van. Shaken and stirred, Toad’s imagination has been fired, he wants, he needs, he MUST HAVE A CAR. Grumpy old Badger comes grumbling through the wood and is just checking his mail when a maniac amphibian in a motor startles the post rabbit who leaps into Badger’s arms. It is Toad, and he has road rage. Badger must take action for everyone’s safety, so summons Ratty and Mole. But Ratty is sleeping in front of his fire, leaving the intrepid Mole to venture forth alone into the perils of the Wild Wood………weasels, stoats and wolves snap at his heels. Just in the nick of time..BANG ..here is Ratty, smoking pistol in hand, raffish and rough, Mole’s saviour! Whilst the friends ponder the problem of how to tame toad, their troubles are interrupted and their spirits raised by visiting carol singers. It SNOWS. We are covered in snow flakes. Magic. (interval) Toad is in trouble with the Law. The Boys in Blue chase him around the Linbury foyer And back into Court. The judge has no sympathy, the evidence is against him… 20 years in jail…..who me?? Toad languishes in prison, his pathos is endearing, but you can’t keep him down for long. He spots his chance, the friendly Gaoler’s daughter will help him get out, in drag! His escape is detected, the police are after him but a train is approaching and he escapes on it. Home , to be greeted by bad news.In his absence the weasels and stoats have invaded Toad Hall. Badger, Ratty , Mole and Toad arm themselves for battle, all for one and one for all, and they oust the usurpers. Victory! The tale is told, the friends all bow, then evaporate into the dusty gloom of the attic. We are back in the Linbury, the snow flakes have melted, it was all a delightful dream |