The Wind in the Willows
by Kenneth Grahame
Adapted for the stage by Alan Bennett
Additional music and lyrics by Jeremy Sams
Directed by Penny Tuerk
July 29th - Aug 2nd, 2002
The Tower Theatre Company performing at the Minack Theatre, Cornwall
Thanks to the Minack Theatre for permission to reproduce the photos on this page
Cast List
The River Bank
Mole : David Taylor
Rat : John Cornwell
Toad : Robert Reeve
Badger : Brice Pitt
Otter : Michael Allaway
Albert, a horse : Marcus Toulmin-Rothe
Portly, an otter : Alexandra Ley or Jack Patrickson
Hedgehog Herbert : Steven Hyndman
Hedgehog Harriet / Tommy : Lizzie Willis or Sam South
Hedgehog Helen / Billy : Kate Campbell or Ben Patrickson
Rabbit Robert : Jonathan Norris
Rabbit Rose : Vyvian Shaw
Baby Rabbits : Oliver Willis or Katie South, Luke Campbell or William Norris, Freddie Norris
Other Rabbits : Eileen Marner, Henry Chester, Alison Liney, Alexandra Ley
The Wild Wood
Chief Weasel : Martin South
Weasel Norman : Richard Willis
Stoat Gerald : Michael Allaway
Ferret Freda : Anna McNeil
Fox : Karen Walker
Other Weasels : Jonathan Norris, Henry Chester, Steven Hyndman
The Wide World
Parkinson, a car salesman : Henry Chester
Motorist Rupert : Steven Hyndman
Motorist Monica : Anna McNeil
Magistrate : Jonathan Norris
Clerk of the Court : Vyvian Shaw
Policeman : Henry Chester
Gaoler : Marcus Toulmin-Rothe
Gaoler's Daughter : Karen Walker
Washerwoman : Eileen Marner
Train Driver : Jonathan Norris
Ticket Clerk : Vyvian Shaw
Bargewoman : Alison Liney
Gypsy : Steven Hyndman
Production Team
Director : Penny Tuerk
Musical Director : Jonathan Norris
Choreographer : Janet South
Set Designer : Dorothy Wright
Costumes : Kay Perversi
Lighting Designer : Nick Insley
Sound Designer : Stephen Ley
Fight Arranger : Lindsey Gallagher
Stage Manager : Laurence Tuerk
ASMs : Dinah Irvine, Jude Chalk, Chris Holmes, Mary Campbell, Sheila Burbidge, Ruth Sanderson, Terry Mathews, Barbara Mathews
Lighting operator : Jacky Devitt
Sound operator : Robert Irvine
Wardrobe : John Stivey, Sheila Burbidge, Celia Reynolds, Elaine Prenzlau, Nigel Martin
Set construction : Alan Wilkinson, Ziz Sulkin, Richard Thornton, Jonathan Norris,
Eileen Marner, Robert Myer, Keith Syrett, Terry Mathews, Keith Hill
Front of House : Nicola Stanhope, Peter Westbury, Jeff Kelly, Alan McKenzie, David Liney, Peter Barker, Jacqui de Prez, Lesley Scarth, Gail Willis, Idit Gold, Eric Adler,
Wendy Adler, Jane Barker, Lisa Kelvey, Jude Chalk, Alan Nesbitt, Karen Killaspy
Music played by :
Jethro Marsh (Violin)
Simon Coderand (Violin)
Colin Guthrie (Keyboards/Guitar)
John Cook (Clarinet/Bass Clarinet)
Malcolm Cottle (Piano Accordion)
Mike Copperwhite (Flute/Alto Flute/Piccolo)
Nick Ridley (Oboe/Cor Anglais)
Paddy Clements (Horn)
Chris Melville (Cornet)
Steve Brewer (Drums)
Review by Frank Ruhrmund (The Cornishman, 1st August 2002)
A capacity audience for the production by the Tavistock Repertory Company (London) of
The Wind in the Willows and, despite the sea fog, a perfect evening on Monday
for simply messing about in boats.
After being asked, during the pre-curtain audience warm up, by cigar-smoking Chief
Weasel (Martin South) if I was sitting comfortably, and only too aware of Alan Bennett
having adapted Kenneth Grahame's classic riverbank tale, I felt in my Minack bones that
I was in for something special.
In the event, although the company had navigational problems in getting certain objects off rather than on stage and, on occasion, were literally in a stew, but
nothing some smooth ad-libbing couldn't sort out, it was more than special. Directed
by Penny Tuerk it was totally enchanting.
An affectionate adaptation of the original, a long way from A A Milne's and so charming
it's certain to increase the membership of every animal protection organisation there is,
Albert (Marcus Toulmin-Rothe) alone was a treasure, with his admission that he doesn't
mind either the sunrise or the sunset - it's what's in between that depresses him - making
irresistible horse sense.
So, too, did Alan Bennett's other amusing references, everything from his nostalgic look
at this country when it was a caravan to the threat of actors' one-man shows and theme
parks.
Extremely well played by all concerned (the part played by its costumiers and set designers
and builders
deserves an award in itself), while Mole (David Taylor), Rat (John Cornwell), Badger (Brice Pitt) and Weasel Norman
(Richard Willis), in particular, were excellent
and coped well with the formidable challenge presented by the many delightful baby animals
of all kinds, it was, and as it should have been, Toad (Robert Reeve) who carried the day
or evening and sent me shouting "Poop-Poop!" all the way home.
The Wind in the Willows
by Kenneth Grahame |
|
|
July 29th - Aug 2nd, 2002 |
The Tower Theatre Company performing at the Minack Theatre, Cornwall |
|
Cast List
The Wild Wood
The Wide World |
Production Team
|
Review by Frank Ruhrmund (The Cornishman, 1st August 2002)
A capacity audience for the production by the Tavistock Repertory Company (London) of
The Wind in the Willows and, despite the sea fog, a perfect evening on Monday
for simply messing about in boats.
After being asked, during the pre-curtain audience warm up, by cigar-smoking Chief
Weasel (Martin South) if I was sitting comfortably, and only too aware of Alan Bennett
having adapted Kenneth Grahame's classic riverbank tale, I felt in my Minack bones that
I was in for something special.
In the event, although the company had navigational problems in getting certain objects off rather than on stage and, on occasion, were literally in a stew, but
nothing some smooth ad-libbing couldn't sort out, it was more than special. Directed
by Penny Tuerk it was totally enchanting.
An affectionate adaptation of the original, a long way from A A Milne's and so charming
it's certain to increase the membership of every animal protection organisation there is,
Albert (Marcus Toulmin-Rothe) alone was a treasure, with his admission that he doesn't
mind either the sunrise or the sunset - it's what's in between that depresses him - making
irresistible horse sense.
So, too, did Alan Bennett's other amusing references, everything from his nostalgic look
at this country when it was a caravan to the threat of actors' one-man shows and theme
parks.
Extremely well played by all concerned (the part played by its costumiers and set designers
and builders
deserves an award in itself), while Mole (David Taylor), Rat (John Cornwell), Badger (Brice Pitt) and Weasel Norman
(Richard Willis), in particular, were excellent
and coped well with the formidable challenge presented by the many delightful baby animals
of all kinds, it was, and as it should have been, Toad (Robert Reeve) who carried the day
or evening and sent me shouting "Poop-Poop!" all the way home.