Wind in the Willows is a true Oxfordshire tale.

Author Kenneth Grahame was a former St Edward’s Schoolboy, and is buried in Holywell Cemetery. And although his classic children’s work was inspired by his experience of messing about on boats in Cookham, the book took shape while he lived in Blewbury.

So what better place to enjoy this timeless tale of the adventures of a gang of animal friends than Oxford Playhouse. And this staging by the Magdalen College School Theatre Academy, was a triumph.

While faithful to the plot, it was quickly apparent that we were in for something different. Instead of Mole’s home, Wild Wood and Toad Hall, we are rooted in a young boy’s bedroom, albeit a very affluent one ¬- a library shelve serving as the riverbank, a bathtub as a boat and so on.

Instead of animals, the young actors sport pyjamas, dressing gowns and striped bathing suits – evoking that halcyon pre-war period from which the book emerged. Dispensing with masks, animal traits were suggested by subtle touches – a splash of green and a tweed hat with the suggestion of goggle eyes for toad, a tale for ratty, and smudges of black and white makeup for badger.

While an imaginative reimagining, it was a shame not to see the familiar animal characters – particularly for the very young audience, many of whom were seeing the play for the first time.

That said, the set and costumes were beautiful, and the performances worthy of a professional company. Dan Blick was fabulous as a camp, shallow and self-absorbed Toad; Zoe Lawton as wise old badger; Timmy Lavy as a perky, timid mole, and Albert McIntosh superb as indefatigable Ratty.

The stunningly choreographed musical numbers were almost too gorgeous – vignettes of perfectly lit beauty, with original music composed by Henry Hawkesworth sung with ferocious talent by the cast ¬ not least the sultry Delilah Le Fert (Mia Hammersley).

The professional input was obvious – this was no normal school play – but it was the talent of the student cast, production team and band which made this an absolute delight.

TIM HUGHES 5/5