Theatre / The Wind In The Willows, adapted as a live radio play by Bart Meehan from the Kenneth Grahame novel, directed by Lexi Sekuless. At Mill Theatre, Fyshwick, until August 1. Reviewed by LEN POWER.

First published in 1908, Kenneth Grahame’s children’s novel has captivated young and old alike ever since.

Bart Meehan’s adaptation as a live radio play maintains the freshness and essential Englishness of the novel, while sound effects performed live add a fun dimension to this joyful tale.

Telling the story of Mole, Ratty and Badger as they try to help Mr Toad after he becomes obsessed with motorcars and gets into trouble are an ensemble of seven performers who also perform the sound effects.

Narration is provided by Graeme Rhodes, as the Radio Host. Maddie Lee (Mole), Helen McFarlane (Rat), Mark Lee, (Toad), Chipz Jin (Otter), Richard Manning (Badger) and Aleksis Andreitchenko (Daughter) all give colourful, extroverted performances and match our memories of the characters from the novel. 

Because it’s devised as a radio broadcast, the actors’ voices are the most important aspect of their performances. There is no costuming and each performer has their script in hand and works before a microphone, surrounded by an array of eccentric-looking props used for sound effects.

How those seemingly useless objects are used during the play becomes one of the highlights of the show.

Cleverly directed with imagination by Lexi Sekuless, this show is pure entertainment throughout its one hour running time.

While members of the audience of a certain age may remember the art of listening to radio plays before television arrived, it was interesting to note that young members of the audience were thoroughly engaged throughout this cleverly realised production.

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