Wind in the Willows is 'going to be great'
This year’s Lower School Production will be a lively reinterpretation of Kenneth Grahame’s classic tale, The Wind in the Willows, and you can buy tickets here.
The show will be on at the Lund Theatre on Wednesday 10th May and Thursday 11th May (starting 7pm) and cast members Alec (Year 8), Victor and Samuel (both Year 7) took time out from rehearsals to explain why it will be a must-see spectacle. Expect, they say, a “great set and soundtrack, fluffy ferrets, dapper toads, an imposing badger” and much more!
What’s the play about?
Alec: It’s about animals who make friends – a mole and a water rat – and who, along with some other friends, defeat the weasels. The weasels are trying to take over Toad Hall so it’s classic good versus evil.
Sam: But in our version, it is adapted into a comedy.
What’s the meaning behind it?
Alec: Hmm, let me think… The way that we are staging it is about children who have in some way been neglected, so it’s about how, whatever your circumstances, you can always reach out and make friends. It’s very hopeful, and like all stories it has a climax when things look bad, but ultimately it’s about hope and friendship.
Sam: It’s a play about wanting to be an adult and then realising it’s too hard!
Victor: And also, it is about characters out of their comfort zones.
Who do you play?
Alec: I play Toad and he is very rambunctious, he’s very rich. He has squandered his wealth but still has a high opinion of himself. He makes a friend along the way and with his help he saves the day. He is incredibly fun to play and has a big personality – he controls the stage. He has big gestures and physicality.
Victor: And I play Doris, who helps the Toad in one sequence of the story.
Sam: My character is Weasel, he is the villain of his play. My character is trying to be the leader of the group, but he lies and threatens his way to the top. I wouldn’t like to be around him. Playing a villain is fun because you get to have the power and pretend to be a control freak.
What has been the best part of the production process so far?
Alec: I would say that when you see the set coming together, it gets very exciting and you think ‘yeah, this is going to be great’ so thanks to Carys for that. Being part of a production as a whole really gives you a sense of fellowship – we are all in this together to create a final production.
Sam: My favourite moment in the process has been looking at how to break the ‘fourth wall’ [that imaginary wall separating actors from audience]. It is fun to involve the audience with direct communication as a performer.
What made you want to audition for the show?
Sam: I regretted not auditioning for the whole school musical, Oliver!. And I love drama and performance so I really wanted to get involved.
Victor: I have been really enjoying our Drama lessons this year and I wanted to use what I have been learning.
Why should audiences come?
Alec: You should come and see it because it is fun, it is exciting, the set is beautiful and you are definitely not going to regret it. There’s a great soundtrack, fluffy ferrets, dapper toads and an imposing badger – what’s not to love?
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