Musical version of a classic tale

I'm really quite wonderful: Toad (Rufus Hound), as green as toads get in The Wind in the Willows

THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS

Lowry, Salford, to November 6

I ALWAYS enjoyed the Alan Bennett-adapted National Theatre version of this story, seen on tour and at the Coliseum; a charming, Edwardian distraction.

But this terrific musical version of the classic Kenneth Grahame tale, by Downton Abbey writer Julian Fellowes with George Stiles and Anthony Drewe (the composers of the delightful Honk) is in an entirely different class, following the modern trend for whizzy, funny and tuneful shows of appeal to children and adults alike - in fact perhaps even more to adults than children.

Everything takes place on a terrific set that starts out with simple hanging foliage, riverbank and rowing boats, and you can see why. It's because over the run of the evening we need space for Toad's mansion - indoors and out, and on a large, bright scale; a canal boat, a couple of handsome roadsters (the first built in front of us) Toad's gypsy caravan, the beautifully-detailed interiors of Mole, Badger and Ratty's houses, and to top it all a steam loco that covers the width of the stage - chased by police on a handcart alongside for good measure. Peter McKintosh's sets and cute costumes are fully complemented by great lighting and sound.

At the centre of the action is the undoubted star of the show, Rufus Hound, who as Toad is a bundle of energy, driving the action and his fellow characters with a performance of great fizz, bluster and "poop poop" exclamations under his bright green hair and bushy moustache. His interactions with the other characters - Badger (David Birrell), Mole (Fra Fee), Rat (Thomas Howes), Mrs Otter (Sophia Nomvete) and the creepily amusing Neil McDermott as the head weasel, are funny and greatly entertaining.

There are sweet little song interludes along the way: a funny one by the hedgehog family about crossing the road; an air stewardess trio of swallows about flying south for the winter, and a beautiful little field mouse chorus, all helping to build up to a thrilling finale in which the riverbank pals take back Toad's mansion.

The whole show has clearly been built to take into the West End - in fact in a couple of weeks.

So it's very much a case of our being privileged to see it first - and if you can, you should.

PG