Details

The Killing of Mr Toad revisits a timeless classic and the extraordinary story behind it. 1934. Elspeth Grahame, elderly widow of Kenneth Grahame, lives alone, rarely washing, barely eating. When she receives flowers from a young fan of The Wind in the Willows, memories flood in and the familiar characters of Toad, Badger, Rat and Mole appear - to perform a musical entertainment in honour of their creator, laying bare the tragicomedy of their real-life counterparts: the shy, retiring Kenneth Grahame, who was both Secretary of the Bank of England and a successful author; Elspeth, an eccentric socialite; and their bumptious only son - who became the prototype for Toad. This rich and unusual play begins as a celebration of a famous book, but becomes a hard-hitting story of a dysfunctional family, unrealistic parental ambitions and teenage breakdown - as the author who delighted so many children is unable to save his own doomed son. Performance Length: Approx. 2 hours

Cast/Performers

Stefan Bednarczyk, Leo Conville, Elizabeth Counsell, Timothy Davies, Jeffrey Perry

Creatives/Company

Author: David Gooderson
Producer: D2 and Co (in association with Neil McPherson for the Finborough Theatre)
Director: David Gooderson
Design: Ruth Hall
Musical Director: Stefan Bednarczyk
Choreographer: Miranda Fellows
Sound: Giles Webb