Toad of Toad Hall by A.A.Milne (From Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame)
Performed as part of the Stevenage Festival 2004
Thursday 17 and Friday 18 June 2004
Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage

The production of Toad has to rate as one of the best productions ever staged by the Knebworth Players. It was a mammoth task to produce such an ambitious play (especially without a dress rehearsal on stage before hand!). The acting was superb with an excellent performance in particular from Pauline Jordan as Toad, Lesley Shadbolt as Mole and from Rob Ward as Badger.

The arrogant toad decides that he has the right to do as he so wishes in everything that he does, and doesn't see that the laws apply to him. Despite the warnings from his friends, in particular, wise old badger, he decides that the old cart pulled by humble Alfred (the horse) is no longer for him. Instead a car is the way to travel, and causing mayhem on the roads along with accidents galore it is only time before the police catch up with him. Whilst toad is being sentenced, the weasels, stoats and ferrets launch a plan to rid Toad Hall of toad once and for all, and their plan would probably have worked had it not been for the escape of toad from gaol in the guise of a washerwoman and the help of toad's friends, badger, mole and ratty.

The final scene in the act sees battle commence between toad and his allies and the weasels, ferrets and stoats. Luckily, toad and his allies win the day and toad vows never to be as foolish again.

The play was superbly put together and was very well received by all who came to see it.