From the creators of Mary Poppins comes this musical rendition of the famous local story ‘The Wind In The Willows’.
The Wind in the Willows is a musical written by Julian Fellowes, with music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, based on the 1908 novel of the same name, written by Kenneth Grahame. The musical received its world premiere at the Theatre Royal in Plymouth in October 2016, before transferring to The Lowry in Salford and the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton. The following year the production transferred to the West End’s London Palladium, where it was filmed for cinema broadcast. Sainsbury Singers were delighted to bring this musical to life in Reading, close to it’s home roots, in May 2023.
This riotous comedy follows Mole, Rat, Badger, and the impulsive Mr. Toad, whose insatiable need for speed lands him in serious trouble. With his beloved home under threat from the notorious Chief Weasel and his gang of sinister Wild Wooders, Toad must attempt a daring escape leading to a series of misadventures and a heroic battle to recapture Toad Hall. Full of humor, wit, a gorgeous, soaring score, and heartwarming lessons of friendship, THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS is the perfect fit for family audiences everywhere.
- Mr Toad – Steve Jewell
- Mole – Sara El-Hanfy
- Rat – Sam Morris
- Badger – Brian Bretney
- Mrs Otter – Kaz Grainger
- Portia – Jess Wilkins
- Chief Weasel – Chris Thomas
- Sheryl Stoat – Katie Wise
- Lesser Weasel – Hannah Scarisbrick-Rowe
- Mr Hedgehog – Stephen Cox
- Mrs Hedgehog – Jessamy Vincent
- Hoglets – Georgina Cox, Matilda Shannon-Little
- Horse – Johanna Shannon-Little
- Swallows – Emma Fry, Helen Thomas, Laura Rountree
- Field Mice – Hilary Latimer, Josh Bethel, Kelly Herman, Stephen Cox
- Mouse Pups – Georgina Cox, Matilda Shannon-Little, Quinn Thomas
- Car Driver – Simon Moore
- Magistrate – Stephen Cox
- Gaoler’s daughter – Lorraine Cox
- Prison Guard – Michael Schult
- Engine Driver – Sean Faulkner
- Barge woman – Cath Hannan
Ensemble – Cat Hill, Cath Hannan, Claire Wilson, Dan Wainman, Denise Schult, Emma Fry, Eve MacDonald, Hannah Rakowska, Hannah Thompson, Helen Thomas, Hilary Latimer, Jessamy Vincent, Jo Shannon-Little, Josh Bethel, Kelly Herman, Laura Rountree, Lorraine Cox, Louise Quelch, Matt Smith, Michael Schult, Sean Faulkner, Simon Moore, Stephen Cox
Ensemble Children – Alfie Wilson, Bronwyn Cox, Cosette Morris, Georgina Cox, Matilda Shannon-Little, Ophelia Rakowska, Quinn Thomas,Willow Thomas
- Keys 1 – Simon Eastwood
- Keys 2 – Tim Newbury
- Electric/Double Bass – Jim Pullen
- Drums / Percussion – Colin Gray
- Guitar 1 – Simon Barnard
- Guitar 2 – Jamie Howell Violin -Victoria Stapleton
- Cello – Neil Charlton
- Reed 1 – Anna O’Brien
- Reed 2 – Victoria Benjamin
- Reed 3 – Joanne Paterson-Nield
- French Horn – Tim Pocock
- Trombone – Nick Kershaw
- Trumpet – Gregor Spowart
- Conductor – Cameron Baker (Musical Director)
- Director – Matthew Smith
- Musical Director – Cameron Smith
- Assistant Director – Kazia Grainger, Sara El-Hanfy
- Choreographer – Denise Schult
- Additional Choreography – Kazia Grainger, Matthew Smith
- Prompt – Melanie Gogerly
- Lighting Designer – Kim Hollamby
- Lighting / Sound Equipment Hire & Rigging – Dinrino Theatre Services
- Lighting Programming and Operation (for The Hexagon) – Adrian Croton
- Technical Assistant – Louis Martin
- Production Coordinator – Jackie Stoffels
- Stage Managers – Caroline Saunders, David Edwards
- Deputy Stage Manager – Rebecca Simons
- Stage Crew – Alison Saunders, Ash Wells, Becca Harrington, Joe Daniels, John Simmonds, Mike Smith
- Head of Flys (for the Hexagon) – Steve Foster
- Stage Manager (for the Hexagon) – Sonya Manasse
- Sound (for the Hexagon) – Dan Bryan
- Sound Assistant – Sally Ollerenshaw
- Props – Kazia Grainger
- Scenery Design and Set Pieces – Matt Smith, Katie Wise
- Cloth Hire – Scenic Projects
- Wardrobe – Catherine Hannan; assisted by Gareth Wells, Jessamy Vincent, Laura Schult, Jo O’Mahoney
- Makeup & Hair Design – Catherine Hannan
- Front of House Presentation – Jessamy Vincent
- Webmaster – Kim Hollamby, Steve Jewell, Hannah Scarisbricke-Rowe
- Marketing Officer & Publishing Manager – Jessamy Vincent
- Marketing Team – Denise Schult, Eve MacDonald, Hannah Scarisbricke-Rowe, Jessamy Vincent, Johanna Shannon-Little, Kazia Grainger, Louise Quelch, Sara El-Hanfy, Steve Jewell
- Photography (unless otherwise stated) – Emma Ramskill
- Biography Photos – Johanna Shannon-Little (jslittlephotography.co.uk)
- Fundraising Team – Lorraine Cox, Michael Schult
- Social Team – Louise Quelch, Kate Petford
- Ticket Officer – Stephen Cox
- Front of House Liaison – Michael Schult
- Child Protection Officer – Lucy Hutson
- Chaperones – Monique Maree, Carolyn Weller, Gareth Wells, Vicki Widdis
- Front of House Manager – Olivia Land
- Front of House Team – Maria Carratt, Elaine Harvey, Amelia Holman, Jake Land, Rob Latimer, Rachel Masters, Jo O’Mahoney, Kate Petford, Gabi Petford, Jorgia Petford, Maea Rulton-Best, Andy Schult, Sam Viner Smart, Gordon Wyard
- Rehearsal Space – The Grange United Reform Church
- Costume Storage – Maureen Keeble (Tyndale Baptist Church)
- Video Production – Front Row Video
- Additional Thanks – Maggie & John Shinkwin, Sara & Steve Wise