Last updated 05:19, Friday, 28 November 2008

Wind in the Willows, Caldbeck Village Hall Ratty, Mole and Badger would have been proud of Caldbeck Players’ production of Kenneth Grahame’s Wind in the Willows (which ran from Sunday to Wednesday this week).

Inspired casting: From left, Jennifer Collard as Ratty, Vic Brunetti as Mole and Frank Cosgrove as Badger in Caldbeck Players’ Wind in the Willows

That just about the entire community turned out to see such a charming show, which was full of children, in such a pleasant place as the village hall would certainly have appealed to their sense of homeliness. Of course Toad would have been supremely proud to see himself played with such energy and glee by Bob Whitson. Director/producer Ken Wolfenden’s casting (of Victor Brunetti as innocent Mole, Jennifer Collard as attention-to-detail-loving Rat and Frank Cosgrove as solitary Badger) was inspired.

This was an ambitious production in scale and use of props. So much so that Ratty’s self-propelled rowing boat brought gasps of admiration, but Toad’s caravan (and its manoeuvring round the almost full hall) was nearly as impressive.

Praise also goes to the cast of 33 children, especially the menacing weasels, and it was clear they were all enjoying taking part.

Even with such a big cast, of such different ages and acting skills, the production was well-paced and never lulled.

A great community experience.

KATE REES