From the moment Mole emerged from her burrow to greet the audience with the opening lines of ‘Spring’, the audience knew that they were in for a very special evening from the Lower and Middle Fourth cast of The Wind in the Willows (young@part). From first to final note, Cece captivated the audience with her powerful vocals and heartfelt portrayal of the endearing and enchanting Mole, performed with both conviction and skill. As Mole was joined by the ensemble of woodlanders, the production blossomed into a joyous celebration of friendship and camaraderie—both on and off the stage.
Excellent individual performances followed, not least from Honor in her portrayal of the cool, clever and confident Rat (“It’s just Rat”). Her solo vocals were accomplished, and her harmonies with Cece were especially impressive in their maturity and blend. The ability to also convey a dry wit was notable in Honor’s performance, as it was in Olivia’s standout portrayal of the Horse! Olivia showcased her versatility and sophistication by seamlessly switching between the maternal Mrs Otter and the cleverly comical, subtly sassy Horse. Bea, as Mrs Otter’s curious and naïve daughter Portia, formed a perfect partnership with Olivia. Bea’s convincing performance drew genuine concern from the audience who, when Portia was captured, willed her safe return home.
Pepper Grinder, Knife and Fork
The mastermind behind the capture of Portia, Chief Weasel, was played with gloriously cool charisma by Lila. Moments involving the pepper grinder, knife, and fork were particular highlights – comedic cherries on top of her sophisticated vocals! Unbeknown to Miss Atkinson when casting, the tried and tested perfect partner in crime was, of course, the Pumbaa to Lila’s Timon: the brilliant Harry as Lesser Weasel, the cheeky sidekick with a first-rate singing voice. Lila and Harry’s dynamic duo was so strong that it took the arrival of the revered character Badger—played with commanding physical and vocal presence by Freddy—to finally thwart them.
Of course, The Wind in the Willows wouldn’t be complete without the self-proclaimed “Toad the triumphant! Toad the spectacular!”—brought to life with quirky brilliance by Axel. Axel dazzled with confidence and wit in a series of impressive costumes, expertly crafted by director and designer Miss Atkinson. His physical comedy was a particular strength, especially in the hilarious chase and fight sequences with Oscar and Lila. Frankie added to the humour of the Toad Hall scenes with his brilliant Scottish portrayal of Toad’s Rabbit Butler. His furious waving of the green flag was a stroke of genius—a humorous nod to Les Misérables’ ‘One Day More’.
A firm favourite amongst the audience was the family of the loveable hedgehogs. Lily, Piers, Sabrina and Fraser fully engaged the audience by skilfully portraying the dark comedy inherent in ‘hedgehog versus road’! All four actors stood out for their commitment to a range of roles, notably Lily in her role within the court (complete with sassy book slam) and Piers as the wronged car driver in court, furious at Toad’s theft. The courtroom was further enlivened by Josh’s commanding presence as the Magistrate, rounding Toad’s sentence “up to twenty!”
Toad the Washerwoman
Toad’s time in jail set the stage for another highlight: the beautiful singing of Olivia as the Jailer’s Daughter. Her hilarious and skilful multitasking while dressing Toad as a washerwoman had the audience in stitches. For them, Olivia and Axel’s duet, culminating in the unforgettable image of a bloomer- and bra-wearing Toad, was a visual treat!
As well as delighting the audience as the hedgehog children, Sabrina and Fraser were also endearing as the wassailing Field Mice. They were joined by charming characterisation from Seb, Charlotte and Con, with Fred and Genevieve providing lovely moments as the Head Chorister and the sweet mouse soloist respectively.
Freddie, Finn, Tristan, and Will shone in the ensemble numbers, notably with Tristan’s fantastic solo in ‘Amazing Mr Toad’, and Finn and Freddie’s outcries of support in ‘As if in a Dream’. The ‘Wild Wooders’ were clear favourites with the audience, with Will’s delivery of “We’re taking over!” as a standout moment, proving how a single line can leave a lasting impact. Indeed, it was the entire ensemble’s feisty characterisation and energetic choreography that made these scenes especially memorable. The lighting, particularly during the Wild Wooders scenes, enhanced the atmosphere and was expertly operated by Yasmin and Ned. On the tech desk, Amara’s sound operation and teamwork with Yasmin—under the adept guidance of Mr Kerswell and Mr Bishop—were pivotal to the show’s success. The full student production team, including Lauren, Edith, Sophie, Stein, Daisy, and Everett, worked tirelessly backstage to ensure the show’s smooth flow and polished aesthetic.
The directorial team – Miss Atkinson, assisted by Mr Johnson-Hyde and Mr Young – achieved something truly great as their enthusiasm and skill ensured immense enjoyment for cast, crew, and audience alike. As time passed and seasons changed, this heartwarming performance reminded us that no matter what happens, true friendship remains a constant—and ultimately, it conquers all.
Audience Comments
“Funny, brilliantly entertaining and quite amazing to hear that such a young cast displayed such controlled singing skills. VERY WELL DONE!” Mrs Winmill
“I very much enjoyed Axel’s acting, he was completely into the role and brought wonderful energy…Cece’s voice is incredible – I look forward to seeing her on the stage again in the future…Lila captured the menace of the Weasel and it was fun to watch her enjoying the role! She also has a beautiful voice…I loved the chorus dancing!” Ms Kelly
“The Junior production of Wind in the Willows was spectacular! The strength of acting paired with the quality of the singing kept us all thoroughly entertained. My children came along to watch and likened it to being at the theatre in London – my son was laughing at all the comedic moments, and my daughter was particularly enthralled by Lila’s performance as Chief Weasel. The set design was also a highlight, with incredible attention to detail which perfectly captured the ambiance of the riverbank.” Mrs Hayes
“We loved the Wild Wooders songs – equal parts creepy and entertaining… Axel was a fantastic Mr Toad, full of confidence while delivering a complex script… Cece and Honor were an excellent duo playing Ratty and Mole, with beautiful vocals and superb acting… The moving boat and light effects brought the story to life… Josh played a formidable Judge; we loved Frankie’s Scottish accent and the enthusiasm of the whole cast!” Mrs Wilson & Ms Boock
“The play simply fizzed with fun and jokes – the comedic element was really highlighted, particularly enjoyable was Olivia dos Anjos’s turn as a sarcastic horse! Overall, the message of sticking by your friends really resonated with the audience, and the delightful Yin and Yang of Mole and Ratty was simply joyous to watch. A personal favourite was the waiters’ can-can. Perfectly executed and with great spirit! Bea was also a standout for me, with brilliant physical presence on stage and lovely communication with the other characters. A top-notch production they should be really proud of.” Dr Eliott-Lockhart
“The leading cast of Mole, Toad, Ratty and Badger amused the audience with comedy and bursts of song… The Wild Wooders, led by Chief Weasel, added a bit of menace to the performance and all characters were ably supported by a host of enthusiastically singing and dancing mice, rats, squirrels, voles, weasels, stoats, hedgehogs and rabbits… A feel-good production showcasing the talent and enthusiasm displayed by the young cast was an absolute delight to watch!” Mrs Watkins
