 THE ADVENTURES OF MR. TOAD
a Musical in two Acts based on The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth
Grahame
Music, book and lyrics by Piers Chater-Robinson
First performed at the Haymarket Theatre, Basingstoke in December
1984, and subsequently at the Theatre Royal, Winchester in January
1985 and at the Bloomsbury Theatre, London in December 1986/January
1987.
A fun-filled musical adaptation of Kenneth Grahame's "The
Wind in the Willows" which relates the fall and rise of the impulsive
Mr. Toad through a series of daring adventures. The invaluable
support of his riverside chums helps to bring about a joyous conclusion.
This delightful show is ideal Christmas and holiday fare
Story
ACT 1
On a glorious Spring morning on the Riverbank the Riverside
animals are playing happily when, suddenly, Mole appears from
under the ground (HANG SPRING CLEANING). Rat introduces himself
and sings of the wonders of river life (MESSING ABOUT). They
decide to spend the day together and commence their picnic. Badger
arrives, complaining about Toad's latest craze. He then sets
off to Toad Hall with the intention of sorting out Toad once
and for all. Toad appears (INTRODUCING MR. TOAD) and invites
Rat and Mole to go caravanning with him (LET'S JUMP ABOARD).
They pack away the picnic and set off in the caravan.
The action moves to the Wild Wood, where the wicked Weasels, led
by the evil Chief Weasel, are performing their tribal dance (WEASELS
REIGN). In the distance is heard the sound of the caravan, which
is then forced into a ditch by an approaching car. The Weasels,
delighted by the accident, disperse as the panic-stricken horse
charges onstage. Rat, Mole and Toad arrive. Rat suggests that the
cart should be mended but Toad is in the grip of a new craze: he
now wants a motor car! Rat takes Toad off to look for the Wheelwright
but Mole, left on his own, is frightened by the weird shapes of
the Wild Wood. The voices of the Wildwooders lure him into the
wood, but Rat arrives just in time to rescue him from the clutches
of the Chief Weasel. They decide to take shelter and, by chance,
find Badger's house where they stay for the next few weeks.
Meanwhile, at Toad Hall Toad is pursuing his latest craze (MR.
TOAD). He takes delivery of a new motor car but, as usual, manages
to wreck it. After breakfast at Badger's house (BREAKFAST) Mole,
Rat and Badger decide that the time has come to take Toad in hand
(A DUTY TO PERFORM). On arrival at Toad Hall, while Badger takes
Toad inside for a lecture, Rat remembers life on the river (DUCKS'
DITTY). The animals lock Toad in his bedroom and take it in turns
to guard him until he agrees to give up motor cars. However, Toad
feigns illness and escapes through the window to find a new vehicle
(MR. TOAD - REPRISE).
Act II
In the Court Room Toad is in the dock accused of stealing a motor
car and, worse still, of cheeking the police. The verdict is a
foregone conclusion: Toad is found guilty by the Lady Magistrate
who seems more concerned with her knitting than justice. They all
gloat over Toad's twenty year sentence (GOODBYE TOAD) and the hapless
Toad is taken off to jail.
In jail some months later Rosy, the jailer's daughter, brings
Toad his breakfast. At her prompting Toad tells of his magnificent
mansion (TOAD HALL). Rosy takes pity on him and helps him to escape
disguised in the clothes of her aunt, the Washerwoman. Back on
the Riverbank the Riverside animals are playing as usual (MESSING
ABOUT - REPRISE). To Rat's amazement Toad arrives bedraggled after
the adventures of his escape. He goes off to change. Mole and Badger
arrive, lamenting that Toad Hall, which has been occupied by the
Weasels, is so closely guarded that they cannot find a way in.
They are amazed to hear of Toad's escape. Toad returns and is shattered
to hear of the loss of his beloved Toad Hall. Badger however reveals
the existence of a secret passage, and they determine to attack
(OFF A-BASHING) while the Weasels are celebrating the Chief Weasel's
birthday.
After much confusion and muddle in the secret passage they burst
into the hall after the Weasels have sung of Toad's downfall (TOAD
HAS GONE TO PRISON). The Weasels are taken by surprise and the
battle ends with a sword fight between Toad and the Chief Weasel.
However Mole bops the Chief Weasel on the head, and the animals
regain Toad Hall. The Riverside Animals appear together with Toad's
caravan, now mended. Toad begins to sing (FINALE - LET'S JUMP ABOARD).
Everybody dances in joyous celebration, but suddenly the noise
of an aeroplane passing overhead is heard. Toad is transfixed : "It
flies - I want one!" he says. Toad has found a brand-new craze!
Principals:
2 female, 5 male
CAST
TOAD
MOLE
RAT
BADGER
CHIEF WEASEL
ROSY (the jailer's daughter)
LADY MAGISTRATE
CLERK of the Court)
AUNT (the Washerwoman)
POLICEMAN
THE HORSE
Chorus of RIVERSIDE ANIMALS
Chorus of WEASELS
Instrumentation:
percussion, guitar, piano,
bass
PRODUCTION NOTES:
THE ADVENTURES OF MR. TOAD is a very adaptable musical and can
be performed by professional, amateur or school forces.
Supplemented by a chorus of children, the show was staged in London
with eight players with roles as follows:
MOLE
RAT
TOAD
BADGER
CHIEF WEASEL/CLERK
MAGISTRATE/WASHERWOMAN
POLICEMAN
ROSY
It it also effective with a 'cast of thousands'; this is more
suitable for school productions since there is no limit to the
size of the Choruses of Animals and Weasels, and doubling of the
main characters is not necessary.
Some of the settings can be simple front cloths to enable the
main sets to be changed behind. The caravan should be practical
and the car should be of the large 'pedal' variety. Costumes should
be bright and cheerful, and it may help to envisage the show as
a fun-filled, three dimensional cartoon.
Piers Chater-Robinson
Rights Holder - Josef Weinberger |
