THE banks of the River Thames are without doubt the best place to watch a production of Wind in the Willows. Not only was the book written by Kenneth Grahame a long-ish stone’s throw from the water in Blewbury, the sound of the water, the topiaried hedges and rustle of oak leaves provides the perfect backdrop for a story that hits the heart of pastoral Britain.

Progress Theatre use the picturesque Caversham Court Gardens for their joyful production, providing the most pleasant of settings to watch Ratty, Mole, Badger and Toad mess about on the river.

Reading Chronicle:

Peter O’Sullivan as Toad.

While near all of Britain is aware of the story, or at least conscious of the presence of a big, posh Edwardian amphibian, Mike Kenny’s 2010 adaptation may be a newer proposal.

Unlike Winnie the Pooh novelist A.A Milne’s 1929 version, Kenny’s lingers on some of the lesser known details. And so whilst we begin with the familiar scenes and leisurely pace of the Wild Woods, the audience is then taken into Badger’s cavernous set and later into a curious, half glimpsed dream sequence involving Pan. The play feels fresh as consequence.

Reading Chronicle:

As with all Progress plays, the strength of production comes from the sheer enthusiasm of the actors. Lola Vegas, in her first performance for the company, adapts a hurt leg and crutches into her feverishly energetic version of Mole. Alongside her Biffo Bear lends a calm, understated charm to Ratty and Robyn Kingston a ruggedness to Badger, made only slightly surreal by her broad accent. At the play’s centre is, of course, Toad, played with all the ruddy pluminess required by Peter O’Sullivan.

Working with an amateur-sized pot of funds does not deter Progress or director Laura Mills, who employs costume co-ordinator Chris Moran and producer Carole Brown to turn a basket of props and smocks into a camped-down pantomime of ensemble-based theatre fun.

Wind in the Willows shows in Caversham Court Gardens from July 12 to July 22, apart from July 17. Weekday performances start at 7.30pm, weekend 6.30pm.

Tickets from www.progresstheatre.co.uk