The Maskers Theatre Company presented The Wind in the Willows from Wednesday 12th July to Saturday 22nd July 2006 in the open air at Mottisfont Abbey.

Approximately eight years ago I saw the delightful production of Alan Bennett's adaptation of The Wind in the Willows at the Old Vic. On returning home I kept imagining this fantastic play performed at Mottisfont, with the setting of Mottisfont Abbey as Toad Hall. The river -- of course -- but would we be allowed to use it? The wild wood -- the largest plane tree in England growing in the grounds -- what could be a more perfect backdrop?

I raised the idea of The Wind in the Willows at Mottisfont with the Maskers Committee and members of the company, and continued to discuss and develop the idea over the next few years. Everyone seemed to agree that it was a wonderful idea. Eventually the play was released to amateurs -- but then I had to wait until it could fit in with my personal commitments. When I was asked to direct this year's 25th production, we were in business at last.

Well, they (whoever 'they' are!) say "never work with children or animals". You could say the whole cast is portraying animals, so that is one part of the rule broken. As for the children -- that was double trouble! It is necessary to have two teams so that they can rest between performances, which is fine, but that means rehearsing their scenes twice -- not to mention other complications! Then there was 'boat practice'. Keeping the boat upright and your costume dry isn't easy with dialogue to say as well (even though our 'Ratty' had experience of boating).

There were the logistics of organising a cast of 49 -- with music, dance rehearsals, rehearsing in the pouring rain -- just to mention a few problems. However -- the pleasure of seeing all the scenes come together was tremendous -- all the hard work of the costume, props, set and backstage departments, especially the costume designs by Lewis Yapp which bring a freshness and quirkiness to the show, and complement Alan Bennett's script perfectly.

The Company joins me in hoping that the 'Motti Magic' that we have experienced for the last 24 productions continues at this, our 25th!

*Narrator*	David Pike
THE RIVER BANK
Mole	Matt Avery
Rat	Philip de Grouchy
Toad	Johnny Carrington
Badger	John Souter
Otter	Martin Caveney
Portley, a young otter	Holly Ryan, Georgia Humphrey
Albert, a horse	Ken Spencer
Tommy, a hedgehog	Daniel Mackney, Lydia Caveney
Billy, a hedgehog	Georgia Griffiths, Phoebe Blandford
Rabbits	Brenda Atkinson, Moyra Allen, Rae Kibble, Sarah Murdoch, Ron Randall, Jo Welch, Anna Carrington
Hedgehogs	Bruce Atkinson, Richard Hackett
Squirrels	David Collis, Graham Skinner, Nicola Caveney, Charlotte Webb
Field mice and small rabbits	Abigail Caveney, Lydia Caveney, Phoebe Blandford, Cicely Blandford, Hernione 'Fizz' Blandford, Georgia Humphrey, Anna Carrington, Holly Ryan, Daniel Mackney, Georgia Griffiths, Chloe Sensier, Olivia Thomas, Kirsty Figuera, Sophie Figuera, Thomas Welch, William Carrington, Lola Gerrard
THE WILD WOOD
Chief Weasel	Adam Taussik
Weasel Norman	Paul Baker
Weasel	Sarah Hedges
Stoats	Jez Minns, Rachel Thomas, Martin Caveney, Richard Hackett
Ferrets	Rae Kibble, Jo Welch
Fox	Sophie Carrington
THE WIDE WORLD
Mr Parkinson	David Collis
Motorist Rupert	Alan Watson
Motorist Monica	Emma Carrington
Magistrate	Harry Tuffill
Clerk of the Court	Moyra Allen
Policeman	Graham Skinner
Gaoler's daughter	Kate Grundy
Washer Woman	Jenni Watson
Train Driver	Bruce Atkinson
Barge Woman	Avril Woodward
Gypsy	Nicola Sensier

Director	Sheana Carrington
Production Manager	Tony Austin
Stage Manager	Angie Barks
Costume Design	Lewis Yapp
Make-up advisor	Libby Crawford, assisted by, Lara Duncan & Jan Spiers
Wardrobe Mistress	Eileen Stannard
Set Design	Ken Spencer
Set Construction	Roger Lockett, Ken Spencer, students of Southampton City College
riverbank 'Stove Master'	Brian Stansbridge
Lighting Design	Tony Lawther
Sound Design	Jamie McCarthy, Lawrie Gee
Sound Operator	Jamie McCarthy
Sound Reinforcement	Tony Lawther
Technical Team	Clive Weeks, Nathan Weeks, David Fawcett, Martin Clift, Julia Campone, students of Southampton City College
Properties Coordinator	Emma Carrington
Properties	Ella Lockett, Gill Buchanan, Liz Hill, Alison McCarthy, Jo Iacovou, Narinda Gill, Jenni Watson
Special Effects	Tont Lawther -- PRESTECH
Musical Director	Pam de Grouchy
Musical Accompanist	Rosa Longman
Choreographer	Adrienne Bath
Fight Arranger	Paul Benzing
Front of House Manager	Geoff Cook assisted by Pam Cook
Marketing and Publicity	Angela Stansbridge and team
Stewards/ Box Office	Maskers Theatre Company
Photography	Clive Weeks
Publicity Design	John Hamon
Programme	Sandy White

Photographs by courtesy of Clive Weeks ( www.cwphotos.co.uk )