The Wind in the Willows | |
---|---|
Written by | Alan Bennett |
Based on | The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame |
Music by | Jeremy Sams |
Date premiered | 12 December 1990 |
Place premiered | Olivier Theatre, Royal National Theatre, London |
Original language | English |
The Wind in the Willows is a play based on the 1908 children's novel of the same name by Kenneth Grahame, adapted for the stage by Alan Bennett, with music by Jeremy Sams.
The play made its world premiere on 1 December 1990 over the festive period in the Olivier Theatre at the Royal National Theatre, London directed by Nicholas Hytner and designed by Mark Thompson. [1] The production starred Griff Rhys Jones as Toad, David Bamber as Mole, Richard Briers as Rat and Michael Bryant as Badger. Due to the success of the production, it returned on 12 December 1991 for another festive season starring Desmond Barrit as Toad, Adrian Scarborough as Mole, David Ross as Ratty and Bryant returning as Badger.
In 1994, the National Theatre production transferred to The Old Vic where the set design by Mark Thompson had to be modified for its proscenium arch stage. The production was directed by Jeremy Sams and starred Jeremy Sinden as Toad.
Character | Original National Theatre Cast [2] | National Theatre revival [3] |
---|---|---|
1990 | 1991 | |
Toad | Griff Rhys Jones | Desmond Barrit |
Mole | David Bamber | Adrian Scarborough |
Rat | Richard Briers | David Ross |
Badger | Michael Bryant | |
Otter | John Matshikiza | |
Albert (a horse) | Terence Rigby | Barry Stanton |
Rabbit | Charlotte Metcalf | |
Rabbit / Passenger | Tricia Morrish | |
Hedgehog / Clerk of the Court | Mike Murray | Roger Swaine |
Hedgehog / Washerwoman | Mona Hammond | Maria Charles |
Stoat / Gipsy | James Goode | |
Guy Moore | ||
Chief Weasel | Tim McMullan | Robin Sneller |
Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result [4] |
---|---|---|---|---|
1991 | Laurence Olivier Awards | Best Comedy Performance | Griff Rhys Jones | Nominated |
Richard Briers | Nominated | |||
Best Director of a Play | Nicholas Hytner | Nominated | ||
Best Set Designer | Mark Thompson | Won | ||
Best Costume Designer | Nominated | |||
Best Lighting Designer | Paul Pyant | Nominated |
The Wind in the Willows is a classic children's novel by the British novelist Kenneth Grahame, first published in 1908. It details the story of Mole, Ratty, and Badger as they try to help Mr. Toad, after he becomes obsessed with motorcars and gets into trouble. It also details short stories about them that are disconnected from the main narrative. The novel was based on bedtime stories Grahame told his son Alastair. It has been adapted numerous times for both stage and screen.
Toad of Toad Hall is a play written by A. A. Milne – the first of several dramatisations of Kenneth Grahame's 1908 novel The Wind in the Willows – with incidental music by Harold Fraser-Simson. It was originally produced by William Armstrong at the Playhouse Theatre, Liverpool, on 21 December 1929. It was given in the West End the following year, and has been revived frequently by many theatrical companies.
Alan Bennett is an English playwright, author, actor and screenwriter. Over his entertainment career he has received numerous awards and honours including two BAFTA Awards, four Laurence Olivier Awards, and two Tony Awards. He also earned an Academy Award nomination for his film The Madness of King George (1994). In 2005 he received the Society of London Theatre Special Award.
The Royal National Theatreof Great Britain, commonly known as the National Theatre (NT) within the UK and as the National Theatre of Great Britain internationally, is a performing arts venue and associated theatre company located in London, England. The theatre was founded by the actor Laurence Olivier in 1963, and many well-known actors have performed with it since.
Sir Nicholas Robert Hytner is an English theatre director, film director, and film producer. He was previously the Artistic Director of London's National Theatre. His major successes as director include Miss Saigon, The History Boys and One Man, Two Guvnors. He has also known for directing films such as The Madness of King George (1994), The Crucible (1996), The History Boys (2006), and The Lady in the Van (2015). Hytner was knighted in the 2010 New Year Honours for services to drama by Queen Elizabeth II.
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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.
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