Blue Apple presents The Wind in the Willows.

Over the past few years, I have reviewed most of the performances produced by Blue Apple Theatre from their adaptations of Animal Farm, The Railway Children and Frankenstein to name but a few. However, tonight’s adaptation of The Wind in the Willows created by Kenneth Grahame has to be their best production yet. Every single member of the cast is thoroughly enjoying their time on stage.

Conservationist Chris Packham narrates the introduction, interval and ending of the storyline. Setting the scene for the story from a conservation perspective as you might expect.

Sam Dace takes to the stage as Badger, the wise older character whose wisdom and understanding are required if Mr Toad (Tom Hatchett) is to be held accountable for stealing the car. Hatchett proves to be a fantastic Mr Toad his delivery of self-entitled lines by the character offers humour and charm throughout the play. Moley is played by Ros Davies another cast member who has improved over the years and proves to be a great Moley.

The star of the show for me was Kym Nash in the role of Ratty. Looking the part of a river dweller in his boating jacket and small blue rowing boat. Nash gave a fantastic solo song and owned every step he took on stage during the play.

The storyline of the original novel remains the same. However, there are jibes made to the class division used by Grahame during the play and people like the Jailer’s Daughter (Anna Brisbane) and Steam engine driver (Andy Canning) are never given a name. The character’s responses are brilliant and perfectly delivered. I hadn’t personally paid that much attention to the storyline before although I was a child when I read it.

Polly Perry has created a wonderful range of costumes for the play. Each animal is easily identified, from Badgers’ regal jacket highlighting his position in the Woods to Mr Toad’s expensive-looking suit which like the character doesn’t exactly blend into the countryside lifestyle.

Part of the company’s charm is that occasionally lines can be heard calling out from the wings as someone is caught off guard that it’s their line. In this production nobody forgot anything or needed a gentle prompt, their investment and enjoyment shone through. One can’t member in the Weaseals camp rarely participates verbally on stage and tonight he spoke twice and it was so touching to witness.

Pip Armitage holding one of the special edition tea towels available to purchase.

Its an absolute privilege to watch some of the cast members gain confidence and grow over the years that they have spent at Blue Apple, it highlights the dedication put in by Artistic Director Ricahrd Conlon and his team to nurture and allow them all a stage to blossom and show that actors with learning disabilities are an asset to the arts world.

This production also saw James Benfield who is a long-term performer with Blue Apple take on a second role this time as a co-creation trainee, as an assistant director.