Theatre Review: In the Willows – Wind in the Willows gets all (w)rapped up.
Photo credit: Richard Davenport
In The Willows is a fantastic and clever interpretation of the Kenneth Graeme childhood favourite. This will appeal to adults and older children as the writer (Poppy Burton Morgan) has taken the original story and characters and have recast them. Instead of spending time in the delights of the countryside, by the riverbank, they have been shifted to a tough inner city location by the Thames. The school is failing but has an inspirational teacher, Mr Badger (Clive Rowe) who tries his hardest to keep his pupils engaged and attending school.
The class is made up of Toad, the wealthy kid whose father is in prison and who believes that money is a good alternative. Harry Jardine is an excellent springy toad, who does not pause for breath whilst rapping and whose rendition of Easy Life is notable. Mole (Victoria Boyce) is a shy new girl who struggles to make friends but is slowly accepted into the class and develops a friendship with Rattie (Zara Macintosh), a sharp thinker who wants to escape the local neighbourhood by attending University. Otter (Chris Fonseca) is a peace maker who sees the best in everyone, Duck (Seann Mily Moore) has a flamboyant personality and Owl (Abiola Efunshile) who is a great hijab wearing dancer. The rabbits are the class bullies and the Weasels are the street gang from the local Wildwood estate.
The costumes are bright and colourful, giving each animal a clear identity and personality. The dancing is brilliant and the children in the audience clearly loved the moves shown by Otter (Chris Fonseca) and the Chief Weasel (Bradley Charles). Throughout the show is signed by both the cast and a BSL interpreter who is passionately involved in the story. The signing is a key part of the show blending seamlessly into the dance routines, the combination proving that musicals can be accessible to a deaf audience. The songs themselves are a mix of rap, R n B and musical, all with a moral slant about making the right choice.
Related: Theatre review: Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake (Tour)
The script is excellent, both funny and very current. The original story is not lost in the reinterpretation, as Toad is sent to prison for stealing a set of wheels. Toad’s rescue by Mole using a washing machine echoes the original where he is rescued by a washer woman. The Weasels again take over Toad Hall, and Rattie, Mole and Otter manage to oust the Weasels by entering Toad Hall via a secret passage.
This is a bold and colourful show for anyone who wants to see a fresh new style of musical, whether or not you know the original story, and you will leave humming or perhaps rapping some of the lyrics.
In the Willows is currently touring the country.
