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Ratty, Mole and Badger have all come out to play on stage as part of the new play put on by the Jersey Arts Centre Christmas Production, a group of joyful comedians who loves nothing more but to entertain.
After 'Arabian Night' and 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,' the Jersey Arts Centre Christmas Production has chosen 'The Wind in the Willows' to spread festive cheer and entertain young and not-so-young islanders alike.
The play, which is on at the Arts Centre until 23 December, is about the life of a group of animals living on the riverbank. There's Ratty (Fynn Mason), Mole (Hettie Duncan), Badger (Nicole Twinam) and their friends, rabbits, ducks, hedgehogs, squirrels and Albert the horse (Xander Meadows). They live a peaceful life in their cosy homes or lazing along the river all day in good company.
But there is also Mr Toad, a flamboyant and boastful amphibian who loves tweed and motor cars. The latter is the cause of much chaos for the group of animals - and to be honest a lot of laughter too. Played by Nick Carver, whose pretend high-pitched voice is hilarious, Mr Toad puts himself in all kinds of trouble - including with the gang of weasels - led by Lily Mae-Fry.
Pictured: Daniel Austin directed 'The Wind in the Willows.'
Daniel Austin, the Director, said he picked the story of Toad and his friends as a nice contrast to the two previous Christmas shows. Mr Austin's story with the play started years ago, when he was just 13 and bought a copy of Kenneth Grahame's book for 40p. Then in 1990, he saw Alan Bennett's version on stage at the National Theatre, which he says was "beautiful and really great fun."
"The play I think is very nostalgic and it’s about friendship and making a home, it’s about picnics, about having fun," he explained. "I thought it would just be a great story to tell and it’s probably a story that isn’t told as often as we might want it to be, especially in terms of the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. So it’s great to kind of resurrect it and offer it to a new generation of people."
Pictured: The cast first got to work on their Christmas production in March.
The company first got to work on their Christmas play in March, then throughout April, May, June and July, they organised workshops. Since September, they have been meeting three times a week to rehearse. Despite the long hours they have put in, and the fact there are some actors younger than others, the whole group has thoroughly enjoyed the ride.
"We love putting on shows. These characters are all kind of bold, it was really fun to play, they all have their quirks," says Nicole. Nick, who plays Toad, adds: "I think none of us has ever grown up really so that also helps. We have a lot of fun. It’s so much fun to rehearse, because it’s so fun, so energetic!"
Pictured: The play is about animals living on the riverbank.
The energy and the enjoyment of the group to play together is plain to see when they are on stage. At their first performance on Friday, they had the whole audience in stitches - especially Mr Toad, whose kind pretence didn't fool the oldest spectators who saw clear in his game. The appearance of the younger members of the cast in different animal costumes and their ability to incarnate in turns hedgehogs, squirrels, ducks and field mice were also very entertaining.
At times fast-paced and contemplative, the play was punctuated with songs in which the whole cast joined, including a perfectly appropriate one for the New Year. The cast had promised a "Christmas jaunt for all the family," and they delivered. It's fun, light-hearted and heartwarming at times, whether you are grown up or not.
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