Producing a Producer: Melanie's New Adventure: "Meet Mister Toad from Toad Hall"

Twenty-seven years ago I was in a children's play at my local youth theatre called The Wind In the Willows. I played an evil weasel who was part of a gang who took over the glorious mansion that was occupied by Mister Toad. Here I am, nearly three decades later, sitting in the audience of the new West End musical The Wind In the Willows and remembering the lyrics I sang all those years ago: "Meet Mister Toad from Toad Hall". It was a bit surreal.

The West End version is not the same as the script and music I'm remembering. My production was made specifically for children's theatre and this is a brand new full-length, family-friendly extravaganza! And oh boy was it! But more on that in a bit...

The Wind In the Willows is a well-known children's book by Kenneth Grahame. It is particularly popular here in the U.K. but some Americans are familiar with the story. I for one am very familiar. Mister Toad is the centrepiece of the story and is a wealthy, carefree, adrenaline junkie who is always after the newest and fastest moving contraption. He has a need for speed and when he discovers the motorcar, well, he simply must have one. After he crashes his own, he "borrows" someone else's and crashes that one as well. He ends up in jail and this is when the weasels make their move to take over Toad Hall. Toad escapes jail and with the help of his friends, Mole, Rat and Badger, he appeals to the Court, overturns his sentence, and fights off the weasels, reclaiming his ancestorial home.

This production is absolutely huge. The costumes, the sets, the special effects. It is quite the spectacle; much bigger than the version I was in all those years ago. I have to say, I do believe my conversion into a producer it very near complete because even though I appreciated the production, my first reaction whenever a new spectacular came on stage was "How much did that cost?! It's only on stage for two minutes!" The budget for this show must have been tremendous.

The book (that's what we call the script of a musical) was written by Julian Fellowes. Fellowes is probably most famous for creating the television series Downton Abbey but also has a background writing for the stage, with credits including the stage version of Mary Poppins, School of Rock, and Half a Sixpence.

Composer and lyrist team George Stiles and Anthony Drewe are responsible for the music. They also worked on Mary Poppins and Half a Sixpence. The show that really launched their career was Honk! which is a very popular title for regional, community, and children's theatre to license and produce.

Rachel Kavanaugh is the show's director. She brings experience with the team having also directed the West End production of Half a Sixpence. Kavanaugh has extensive experience with London's Regent's Park Theatre and in the regions as Artistic Director of Birmingham Repertory.

The man that got us into those seats this past week was the show's producer, Jamie Hendry. We had a day with Hendry last week. We met him at the London Palladium where The Wind In the Willows is playing. He talked to us about being a West End producer and the process of mounting The Wind In the Willows. He also introduced us to Stiles and Drewe and they chatted to us about their process and career. Production Manager, Patrick Molony also spoke and gave us extremely valuable information about the logistics of a project of this scale. Finally, we toured the set getting the inside scoop on the complications and considerations from Molony. It was an exciting day for us and very insightful.

A week later we got to see the show. Knowing the backstory of the production made it that much more interesting. I have to say, I feel honored to have had the chance to get such an in-depth look into a huge West End show. I am truly in awe for Jamie Hendry and his entire team. Amazing.

I am entering my final week of the course this week. It's nearly over. The final papers are due on Friday and I'm wrapping everything up. I'll fill you in next Sunday, and let you know how it all finished.
Take care!
-m