THIS delightful production, directed with a light, sensitive touch by Michael Shipley, oozes charm.
Alan Bennett has adapted the play from Kenneth Grahame's much loved book and Bennett's gentle humour is brought out well by a talented cast.
Stephen Stubbs is an excellent Toad with exactly the right amount of boastfulness and bravado.
The children at the matinee performance which I attended were entirely sympathetic when the unfortunate Toad was incarcerated after stealing a car.
Stubbs does an excellent job of looking pathetic.
Michael Haworth is extremely well cast as Rat. Dressed immaculately in white trousers and blue blazer, Howarth is a splendidly pedantic and kindly character.
Tim Henshaw is a lovable Mole -- naively delighted at all the goings-on.
Outstanding among the other characters is Cath Blower as Albert, the disgruntled horse.
And Michael Tatman is notable in the cameo role of the magistrate with a penchant for kedgeree and devilled kidneys.
Steve Cain plays the Chief Weasel as a kind of Chicago gangster and this works well.
Wisely, the actors who play animals are not over-dressed as such.
A pair of ears here and a tail there, are enough to make the distinction between them and the humans.
The fieldmice -- pupils from Columba's Primary School -- do a first-class job.
Scenery and props are bright and appealing. The barge, car and train in primary colours are well designed.
Altogether, this is a suitably festive show which appeals to both adults and children. Doreen Crowther
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