Toad of Toad Hall (2018)
by Kenneth Grahame adapted by A A Milne Music by H. Fraser-Simson
Performances: Tue 17th – Sat 21st July 2018, Old Fire Station
Contents
Introduction
The play of the book "The Wind in the Willows". The action was shifted from the normal rural setting to the rivers and canals of East London, and the normal hierarchy was reversed, with Rat, Mole, Toad and Badger made more marginal figures, and the Wild Wooders reimagined as property developers. "Toad Hall" became "Toad Haul(age)", Rat became a barge dweller, Badger a majestic and somewhat terrifying tramp, and Mole a young, shy, but essentially optimistic ingenue.
Cast
- Toad - Simon Gleisner
- Rat - Alaska Roberts
- Mole - Stephanie Urquhart
- Badger - Ross McKenzie
- Chief Weasel / Ensemble - Audrey Lindsay
- Ensemble - Philip Cohen*
- Ensemble - Andrew Gaitskell
- Ensemble - Anna Callender
- Ensemble - Deborah Dubosq
- Ensemble - Jackie Burch
- *Owing to the indisposition of Philip Cohen, from the Wednesday performance his parts were played by Tom Melly
Crew
- Stage Manager - Mike Smart
- Assistant Stage Manager - David Clements
- Lighting Designer - Mark Bullock
- Assistant director & Operator - Tiffany Manning
- Fight Co-ordinator - Anton Krause
- Musical Consultant - Alan Walker
- Choreographer - Audrey Lindsay
- Scenic Painter - Hazel Hindle
Reviews
A few of us caught the opening performance ofToad of Toad Hall last night. I loved it! Tom Melly's direction is so inventive. Every scene has a surprise that delights. It's as charming as it is funny ... and some of it is really bloody funny! ~ Bryon Fear
Toad of Toad Hall, a totally bonkers fun-fest, certainly put a smile on my face! Well done all! ~ David Carr
Toad of toad hall. Just awesome. Ingenious concept peppered with moments of brilliance and some amazing performances. Just go see. ~ Peter Stevens
Toad of Toad Hall was a belly of laughter such beautiful characterisations. ~ Hazel Hindle
Last night we were transported to the magical world of TomMelly’s brain. I don’t want to give away any spoilers so I will avoid that and instead lavish my praise on Tom’s brilliant direction. It was great to see a director ignoring the dreaded ‘italics’ and allowing his imagination to have free rein to create something that was rather magical. He and his cast created moments of sheer joy, I am still smiling. ~ Barry Heselden
Gallery
- Photos by Siobhan Campbell
Reminiscences and Anecdotes
A somewhat tumultuous production - two of the original cast had to bow out during rehearsals due to work commitments, and Philip Cohen fell ill with flu on the Wednesday of performance week. The director, Tom Melly, stepped in to cover his role as Judge.
Note to self: when participating in off stage fight noises, yelling "I'm going to rip off your head and shit in the stump" is probably not a good idea unless you're really, really sure where the onstage silences fall... Tom Melly, Facebook.
See Also
Toad of Toad Hall (1971)
