Toad of Toad Hall
December 1980
by A A Milne, directed by Anne Bacon
Cast: Mole - Diana Lucas Ratty - Mike Jeans Badger - Gordon Halliday Toad - Dick Dann - Nice Animals: - Alfred, a horse - Ben Grimsey Grandma Rabbit - Joyce Evans Mama Rabbit - Rosie Coveney Harold Rabbit - David Stevens Lucy Rabbit - Lynn Trout Boy Rabbit - Martin Lilly Squirrels - Marie Berry, Alison Lambourne, Claire Russell & Karen Barrett Field-Mice - Claire Russell & Steve Langfield Turkey - Carol Pettit Duck - Sybil Hopson Fox - Sally Chance Nasty Animals: - Chief Weasel - Anthony Morris Chief Stoat - Lynn Trout Chief Ferret - Steve Langfield Other Weasels, Stoats - Marie Berry, Martin Lilly, Claire Russell, Margaret Butt, Carol Pettit, Karen Barrett, Rosie Coveney, Richard Price & David Stevens Other Characters: - Marigold - Karen Barrett Judge - Jim Orford Nurse - Joyce Evans Phoebe - Alison Lambourne Washerwoman (Phoebe's Aunt) - Margaret Butt Bargewoman - Marie Berry Court Usher - Cass Thorne Policeman - Graham Ward Gaoler - Richard Price | Production Team: Producer - Anne Bacon Musical accompaniment - Don Rutter Opening Song 'Wind in the Willows' sung by - Mike Jeans Stage Design - Sheila Kendall-Edgecombe & Anne Bacon Stage Construction - Mike Trout, Barry Matthews, Roy Wheeler, Alan Lambourne & James Pettit Stage Management Team - Pat Rutter, Mike Trout, Roy Wheeler & Barry Matthews Stage Props - Anne Atkinson, Gabrielle Borley, Angela Day & Chris Hough Costumes - Olive Rumford, Lynn Trout & Alison Lambourne Prompt - Joan Bowditch Sound - Fenny Gill & Mary Jones Lighting - Kevin Gardner Make-up - Rosie Coveney Front of House - Stan Atkinson and Helpers Publicity - Gillian Yates, Cass Thorne, Dick Dann & Diana Lucas |
Reviews:
From Exmouth & East Devon Journal - Sat. 6 Dec 1980:
Diana Lucas was superb as the lovable Mole....
City Stage For The Estuary Players
The Estuary Players' experiment of staging a show in Exeter instead of their native Topsham paid off handsomely, and particularly on two counts.
In the first place, a theatre like the Barnfield was a more appropriate venue for the splendid production of A. A. Milne's Toad of Toad Hall. It enabled producer Anne Bacon, her talented cast of players and an efficient stage management team to use their abilities to the full.
The second bonus was the handsome support which the play received. Any doubts as to whether the experiment might flounder financially were dispelled before the curtain went up on the first night. By then all seats had been sold for all four performances.
And those who had successfully booked their seats were rewarded with a happy evening's entertainment. The first night's audience contained a fair sprinkling of youngsters, as no doubt did the other performances, especially Saturday's matinee. But this presentation had an appeal for young and old alike, whether we knew the story from our childhood or not.
After Marigold, competently played by Karen Barret, had introduced us to her world of animal make-belief on the river bank, we delighted in the capers of Mole, Ratty, Badger and Toad. Dick Dann endeared himself particularly to the younger members of the audience as Toad. Perhaps there was a touch of Kermit of the Muppet Show fame that appealed in his clever characterisation.
Well Acted
Diana Lucas was superb as the lovable Mole using a wide variety of expressions and movements in a non-stop performance. She was a perfect contrast to Badger, a part well portrayed by Gordon Halliday with his resonant voice and superior unflappable actions.
Mike Jeans completed a very competent 'Big Four' in the role of Ratty, proving in the process that he also had a good singing voice.
The rest of the large cast, either as animals or humans, all gave good support with some enjoyable character studies. Some of them doubled up in roles, like Joyce Evans, Alison Lambourne, Lynn Trout, Rosie Coveney, Margaret Butt, Carol Pettit, Steve Langfield, David Stevens, Richard Price and Martin Lilly, while Karen Barrett, Marie Berry and Claire Russell played no less than three parts each.
Completing the cast list were Ben Grimsey, Anthony Morris, Jim Orford, Richard Thorn, Graham Ward, Sybil Hopson and Sally Chance, with Don Rutter proving a first class musical accompanist. Responsible for an effective set were Sheila Kendall-Edgecombe, Anne Bacon, Mike Trout, Barry Matthews, Roy Wheeler, Alan Lambourne and James Pettit. Special mention should also be made of the excellent costumes for which Olive Rumford, Lynn Trout and Alison Lambourne were credited in the most attractively designed programme.
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