By Kenneth Grahame Adapted by Mike Kenny Music by Alex Loveless Orchestrations by Andy Smith Directed by Chris Loveless Movement Coach Rachel Ashton By arrangement with Nick Hern Books Tired of spring-cleaning, Mole leaves Mole End and ventures out to the riverbank, where he befriends the resourceful Ratty, the gruff Badger, and the infamous Toad of Toad Hall (Poop-poop!). Together they explore the Wide World, and the Wild Wood, and try to keep Toad out of trouble…! This delightful adaptation combines all the joy and mystery of Kenneth Grahame's much-loved classic with the lightness of touch and playful theatricality for which award-winning playwright Mike Kenny is known. Furness Youth Theatre follows 2023’s hit productions of Beauty and the Beast and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein with this fresh new version of the old favourite. Mike Kenny is one of Britain’s leading children’s playwrights, and was included in the Independent on Sunday’s list of Top Ten Living UK Playwrights. His adaptation of E. Nesbit's The Railway Children won an Olivier award for Best Entertainment and has toured worldwide. Maddy Backhouse plays Rat. Maddy’s previous roles with FYT include Beauty in Beauty and the Beast and Bonnie in The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, for both of which she was nominated for the Association of Community Theatre award for Most Accomplished Actress, and Mary in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Joseph Cunningham plays Toad. Joseph’s previous roles with FYT include the Monster in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Opal Wheeler in her first leading role with FYT plays Mole. Cel Bispham in her first leading role with FYT plays Badger. Director Chris Loveless trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. His productions have played in London’s West End, the regions, New York, and France, with several named critics’ choice by Time Out and the Evening Standard. Locally, Chris has directed many productions for Furness Youth Theatre and its predece... See more >