Katherine MacAlister looks ahead to Creation Theatre’s adaptation of a classic

It’s all change at Toad Hall with a girly Ratty, street-wise weasels and popstar Toad. Yes, Creation is back at North Wall this Christmas with Kenneth Grahame’s classic, nicely reinterpreted for a contemporary family audience and ready to take you on a festive adventure.

“I think it will be an exciting show and a unique production,” Toad, aka Will Norris promises. “It has all the right elements — crazy characters and a great storyline. It’s a brilliant alternative to panto so we are working really hard to make sure everything is ready to go.”

Already armed with a “very nice waistcoat matched with green and black spats”. Will looks set to do Toad proud. Less revered but equally as enjoyable is Rhys King, chief weasel and the official baddie.

“I seem to go from nasty part to nasty part”, he shrugs in delight. “But then in real life my nickname is Weasel,” he laughs, “so this is obviously a part I was born to play and now I can release my inner grinch so it’s very exciting.”

Does he mind being booed off stage every night? “Hearing them boo is just as enjoyable as the audience cheering because it means I’m doing my job right by provoking a reaction. As long as good triumphs over evil in the end and the goodies win, they can take that home with them afterwards,” he says.

The lovely Georgina Strawson is also challenging a traditional role with a twist, that of Ratty, and delighted to be the first female to do so. “It’s cool to be doing it for the girls,” she laughs. “But then Ratty is quite special — a bit OCD and scared of leaving the river, she’s quite erratic and unique,” the 29-year-old says.

Having starred in numerous children’s theatrical productions, she is ideal for the job, but what attracted Georgina to Creation?

“This production is jam-packed with noise and energy, but it’s also a very sweet, simple story about friendship so very fitting really for Christmas.”

Perhaps Creation Theatre’s creative producer Lucy Askew sums it up best. “We were busily scanning the bookshelves for other likely children’s classics, when we hit on The Wind in the Willows, and I’m so glad we did, particularly with Kenneth Grahame being an old boy of our hosts St Edward’s School. So expect picnics, daring escapes and messing about in boats — we can’t wait!”

The Wind in the Willows
The North Wall, Summertown
December 5-January 10
Tickets: 01865 766266 or www.creationtheatre.co.uk