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Stars explained: * A production of no real merit
with failings in all areas. ** A production showing evidence of not
enough time or effort, or even talent, and which never breathes any real
life into the piece – or a show lumbered with a terrible script. *** A
good enjoyable show which might have some small flaws but has largely
achieved what it set out to do.**** An excellent show which shows a
great deal of work and stage craft with no noticeable or major
flaws.***** A four star show which has found that extra bit of magic
which lifts theatre to another plane. |
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Classic tale well told
Bob Graham as Toad being badgered, so to speak,
by Stephen Downing The Wind in the Willows The Nonentities Rose Theatre, Kidderminster **** Christmas is nearly here and what better
way to get into the festive spirit than to gather up the family and head
down to the Rose Theatre, Kidderminster for their production of
children’s classic, The Wind In The Willows. The Nonentities never seem to fail in delivering
entertaining and quality productions and this seasonal offering doesn’t
disappoint. The tales from the riverbank follow friends Mole,
Rattie and Badger as they try to keep their eccentric friend Toad out of
trouble with a little help from the rest of the woodland animals. Along the way they encounter danger from motor
cars, a gang of weasals and, believe it or not, even a caravan can be
problematical! When poor toad is imprisoned for “borrowing” and then
crashing a motor car he is sent to prison and then it is down to him,
with a little help from the woodland animals to make his escape! The set designers have created a bright yet
gentile riverbank, with Rattie’s river boat gliding from one side of the
set to the other. Another high light is the vibrant caravan - for a
large and heavy prop it worked extremely well. The ensemble cast sang a
wonderful lullaby outside the caravan around the campfire which was
simply lovely.
The four main characters on Mole (Joan Wakeman),
Rattie (Patrick Bentley), Toad (Bob Graham) and Badger (Stephen Downing)
all gave solid performances and the show really came alive in the second
act, following Toad’s escape from prison when the four of them are
reunited to defeat the evil weasel gang and regain Toad Hall.
Lynn Ravenhill as Weasel Norman and Dan Taylor and Chris Kay
as Weasels Graham’s facial expressions as the spoilt,
childlike toad were brilliant and I felt genuine sadness when the second
act closed on his sorrowful face as he started his twenty year jail
sentence. A mention really must go to David Wakeman as the
Black Country, long suffering, shire horse Albert who delivered some of
the best lines in the production – the children (and adults) loved him.
He also had the best costume – his glossy mane was very impressive! The ensemble groups of weasals, hedgehogs and
rabbits filled in parts narrative and moved the set around with ease to
create Rattie, Badger and Mole’s different homes, all of which was very
slick and well-polished. Whoever directs the Christmas show always has a
challenge on their hands but director Chris Clarke has produced an
entertaining production with a 23 strong cast. The gentleness of the
production was a breath of fresh air, when living in a world of high
speed technology. The innocence of Kenneth Graham’s story shone through
with Alan Bennett’s adaptation bringing in a more current comic element. In a world where children bury their heads in
Harry Potter and Twilight novels, The Wind In The Willows proves you can
never beat a Classic!. To 07-12-13. 2 hours, 30 mins including a 20
minute interval Eva Easthope |
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