Wind in the Willows - UK Tour & London Palladium

I can't wait.

Combine one of my favourite childhood books with the writers of the additional songs for Mary Poppins and I am in heaven!

I wonder if they have a West End theatre yet because it's a competitive market with so many shows looking to come in

Am I right in thinking that James Gant is also in it?

I'm seeing this on my birthday. Quite looking forward to it.

I wonder if it will make it to the west end.

Manchester Theatres offer of £10 off tickets for The Lowry with code mth


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I just booked so ill let you know

They've just released two tracks from it... they sound pretty great actually. I'm quite excited about this

Spring - soundcloud.com/jamiehendryproductions/spring-radio-mix/s-vT2wJ
The Amazing Mr Toad - soundcloud.com/jamiehendryproductions/the-amazing-mr-toad-radio-mix/s-secxI


I think Spring is possibly the opening number? That's a guess.

I found "Spring" was like being shouted at, it's so full on. And "The Amazing Mr Toad" is good, but lacks any real soul. It all sounds a bit over-produced for my liking.

I think people will be put off by -

It's been on stage before in various guises
It's got a real old fashioned twee image about it
Animals on stage
It leans towards a children's story
Those two songs! (Over produces is exactly right!)
The subject matter conjures up holly hockey sticks 1920's

There were rumours of this going into the palladium for six months but I doubt it will happen.

Having just seen the penultimate evening performance of the show in Plymouth, I must say we all (a group of various ages) thoroughly enjoyed it. The sets made by the Royal were a little bit similar to the Nationals wonderful production way back, very much river bank holes and all very organic. Toads various means of transports were well supplied from Gypsy Caravan,red sports car, barge to a huge train. Toads final mode of transport has to be seen to be believed! It has been a sell out but it has been classed here as previewing I think. Act one could be trimmed a bit but act 2 flows and goes very quickly. The music has some great songs which I am sure once a cast recording happens people would enjoy. "Spring" is done very well with the full company, "The open road", "Amazing Mr Toad", "A friend is still a friend" and "Taking over the Hall" are all good numbers. A strong orchestra of 14 bring out the music very well. Costumes are as the photo's showed - human but have animal traces, ears, tails etc. The main characters - Mole (Fra Fee), Rat (Thomas Howes), Badger(David Birrell), Mrs Otter (Sophia Nomvete) and a Spiv Chief Weasel (Neil McDermott) were all very good in their roles. A special mention of the hedgehogs - who put over their problems in the song "The Hedgehogs Nightmare" really well and got them a big ovation in the end. All the company had a lot to do and did it well. A special mention to the local children who performed very well. Last but NO way least I must say Rufus Hound really stole the role of Toad in all he sang and did during the show. Especially causing great laughter when a washerwoman on the barge, but he was hilarious throughout! I do hope it will go on to be a big hit and do a transfer into London, it deserves it. After it's London Premiere run, I could see it could turning into a Christmas show and regular tour around the country. It is really a wonderful family show - but will the miseries in London do it down buy not realising it is to be enjoyed not picked to bits? I sometimes wonder if "professional reviewers?" ever had a child hood!
One grumble why can't parents avoid bringing babies and very young children into a show they cant understand??

How pretentious and patronising Mr B.



Have you seen the show to know that groupbooker was easily pleased? I really do resent that London centric attitude that those of us in the regions will accept any old rubbish.
 I do appreciate groupbooker's comment about 'London Miseries' kicked it off, but a lot of us in the regions do have high standards.  I am certainly not 'easily pleased'.

My take on the show was the score was very good with some good numbers.  I found the story a little boring and found my mind drifting on to other things at times throughout the show.  The set is to a high standard with a decent size barge and a train being two worthy of special mention.