Two new tracks and images of the cast in rehearsals for the new musical adaptation of The Wind in the Willows have been released today, ahead of the premiere performance at the Theatre Royal Plymouth on the 8th October.
Adapted for the stage by Julian Fellowes and Olivier Award-winning composer and lyricist duo George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, this musical adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s beloved story will premiere at the Theatre Royal Plymouth before visiting The Lowry in Salford and Mayflower Theatre in Southampton, prior to opening in London’s West End.
Ahead of its premiere two songs have been released: Spring and The Amazing Mr Toad. With music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, ‘The Amazing Mr Toad’ features Rufus Hound as the loveable Mr Toad and the whole cast perform the opening number ‘Spring’.
The cast for the production will include Rufus Hound as Mr Toad alongside David Birrell as Badger, Irish actor and singer Fra Fee as Mole, Downton Abbey’sThomas Howes as Ratty, EastEnders bad-boy and Shrek star Neil McDermott as Chief Weasel and Sophia Nomvete as Mrs Otter.
Meanwhile, the company also includes: Rakesh Boury, Courtney Bowman, Jenna Boyd, Abigail Brodie, Jorell Coiffic-Kamall, Nicole Deon, James Gant, Evan James, Graham Lappin, Michael Larcombe, Bethany Linsdell, Dylan Mason, Emma Odell, Ryan Pidgen, Patrick Sullivan, Karli Vale, Adam Vaughan, Georgie Westall and Holly Willock.
Directed by Rachel Kavanaugh, The Wind in the Willows is the latest collaboration between Julian Fellowes, Anthony Drewe and George Stiles, following from successful productions of Mary Poppins and Half a Sixpence.
The production will feature design by Peter McKintosh, choreography by Aletta Collins, lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Gareth Owen, orchestrations by Chris Jahnke and David Shrubsole and musical supervision by Simon Lee.
Follow Ratty, Mole, Badger and of course Mr Toad on a wild adventure which sees the excitable and loveable Toad’s need for speed getting him in to trouble!
The Wind in the Willows will play at the Theatre Royal Plymouth from the 8th October 2016 – 22nd October 2016, The Lowry in Salford from the 27th October 2016 – 6th November 2016 and The Mayflower in Southampton from the 10th November 2016 – 20th November 2016. For more information and to book tickets visit: http://windinthewillowsthemusical.com/