The Wind in the Willows
by Alan Bennett
July 2026
It's all about "messing about in boats," until Toad decides to mess about in stolen automobiles.
Ever since Grahame’s novel was published in 1908 the characters of Ratty, Mole, Toad and Badger have delighted generations of readers. Alan Bennett’s adaptation is both true to the original yet carries the distinctive Bennett hallmark of delightfully witty jokes.
CAST
Mole - Albert West / Lily West
Rat - Alice Cruse
Toad - Oliver Hulme
Badger - Roger Benison
Chief Weasel - Robin Piper
Sergeant Fred Weasel / Gypsy - Joe Mendell
Weasel Norman - Florence Joad
Weasel Wilfred - Phebe Bishop
Stoat Gerald - Rafferty Hulme
Albert the Horse - Alice McDonald
Rabbit Robert - Bea Taylor
Rabbit Rose - Jasmine McNulty
Fox - Janet Sharples
Otter / Gaoler’s Daughter - Helen Chater
Portly the Otter - Bella Tester
Car Salesman / Railway Police - Jim Chattell
Motorist Rupert - Casper Langton
Motorist Monica - Hattie Taylor
Washerwoman - Jo Donelan
Barge Woman - Di Kelly
Train Driver - Jasper Bridger-Wood
Magistrate - Denzil Edwards
Magistrate’s Clerk / Mother Rabbit - Sarah Saxty
Hedgehogs - Harrison Bishop, Clara Cooper, Harry Cooper, Thomas Humberston, Caspar Langton, Ella Walsh
Mice - Jasper Bridger-Wood, Clara Cooper, Alice Hathaway, Isla Rodriguez, Martha Sindle
Rabbits - Hattie Taylor
Squirrels - Isla Rodriguez, Martha Sindle
Ferrets & Stoats - Harrison Bishop, Harry Cooper, Thomas Humberston
Teddy the Shetland Pony - Himself
CREW
Director - Mel Byford
Production - Leanne Taylor & Roz Thomas
Stage Manager - Molly Byford & Holly Shorten
Musical Director - Lucy Lockwood
Prompt - Sally Howell
Set Design - Mel Byford & Roz Thomas
Set Construction - Dan Gillinder, Dougie Phillips, Nick Wray & Mark Thomas
Set Painters - Roz Thomas & the Cast
Costume Design - Christine Freeman
Make Up - Mel Byford & Ruby Donelan
Sound & Lighting - Olly Cooper & Arthur Fryer, assisted by Nick Wray
Musicians - Roland Bryce, Christine Humberston & Lucy Lockwood
Bar - Malcolm Terry & Warren Rainforth
