Beginning this Friday, The Alban Arts Center will present a stage adaptation of the classic children’s tale “Wind in the Willows” (book by Kenneth Grahame, adapted for the stage by Alan Bennett). This story follows the adventures of Mr. Toad, Badger, Rat and Mole and their whimsical escapades in the Wild Wood and Wide World.
If you are not familiar with the story, Mole has ventured forth from his humble hole in the ground and has been befriended by Rat and Badger. This story tells of their adventures with Mr. Toad. Everyone has a friend like Mr. Toad, a trust-fund baby who always gets into trouble and either charms or buys his way out of it. You know, like your buddy from South Hills.
Anyway, the Alban production is wickedly funny, yet appropriate for all ages. The cast is terrific and the set is amazing. I shot some footage during a rehearsal last week, and I hope to have it ready early in the week so you can get an idea of what to expect.
In the meantime, our Sunday Evening Video is the first part of an animated take on this children’s classic. This 1983 stop-motion version by Cosgrove-Hall is a beloved treasure in the UK, and I’m presenting it here just to show how many cool interpretations of this story there are. You can find the rest of this version floating around in various clips on YouTube.
After the jump you’ll find all the details of the Alban’s production.
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