StageFlight presents
THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS
Adapted by Les Winspear
based on the book by Kenneth Grahame
directed by Lis Shelley
11am & 3pm Saturday 5 December 2026
11am Sunday 6 December 2026
The Twyford – Theatre Venue
Join Toad, Mole, Rat, Badger, Otter and the Wild-Wooders for a rollicking family theatre performance of this classic story, performed by the talented students of StageFlight Drama School.
SHOW INFO
- Show length 1 hour (no interval)
- Foyer Box Office and Cafe/Bar open 1 hour before performance
- Family theatre for all ages
- Babes in arms up to 18 months permitted provided no seat occupied
TICKET INFO
- TICKETS ON SALE SOON – MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
ABOUT THE SHOW
Based on the book The Wind in The Willows by Kenneth Grahame first published in 1908, The Wind in the Willows tells the story of Riverbankers Mole, Ratty, Otter and Badger as they try to help Mr Toad. Toad becomes obsessed with new fangled things and gets himself into trouble, while the Wild Wooders make trouble at Toad Hall.
SYNOPSIS
With the arrival of spring, kind-natured Mole loses patience with spring cleaning and leaves her home underground to arrive at the bank of a river, which she has never seen before. Rat arrives in a rowboat and invites Mole to share a picnic, before telling her about the wonderful life on the river. Rat’s friend Otter arrives and warns Mole to watch out for “Wild Wooders”, especially the Weasels. The trio are interrupted and take cover, thinking it is a Wild Wooder, only to discover it is their friend, the highly respectable Mr Badger. Toad then appears, zooming along the river on a home-made sailboard, before heading back to his ancestral home, Toad Hall.
An urgent message arrives, leading the friends to rush off and find out what new craze has captured Toad’s imagination. It is only a matter of time before Toad is led astray by his latest obsession, this time landing him in gaol. With Toad gone from Toad Hall, the Wild Wooders take the opportunity to move in. Toad must use all his charm and cunning to escape several more predicaments before returning to Toad Hall, and – with the help of his friends and the audience – try to win back his beloved Toad Hall from the Wild Wooders.
ABOUT LES WINSPEAR
Les Winspear has established a broad based career as a playwright, actor and director. His plays include outdoor theatre, early childhood, primary age, community and historically based pieces. He was an actor and founding member of Riverina Theatre Co, worked with Salamanca Theatre Co, and helped found Zootango Theatre Co in Hobart. While with Zootango, he was instrumental in the development and presentation of family shows in the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens. Subsequently, he helped found Theatre Alfresco, a cooperative which provides quality theatre in the Gardens over summer. He has created plays for Big Monkey Inc, Theatre Alfresco, Salamanca Theatre Company, Terrapin Theatre, Port Arthur Historic Site, the Australian Wooden Boat Festival, the National Maritime Museum and the Flinders Island Festival.
ABOUT STAGEFLIGHT
StageFlight was established by Artistic Director Lis Shelley in 2012 as a creative vehicle for theatre and film projects. StageFlight Drama School has delivered many after school and holiday workshops in drama and film for hundreds of adults and youth in the southeast region, to enable people to express themselves creatively. With the gradual demise of arts subjects in the education sector, StageFlight fills the gap for young people craving an artistic and performance outlet. Several students have gone on to careers in the performing arts, while others use the life skills they learn – such as voice projection, self-confidence, movement, breathing, relaxation and team work – in other pursuits. StageFlight runs classes at The Twyford and also offers adult and business workshops on request. stageflight.com.au
| CAST in order of appearance | ||
| MOLE | Ruby Bancroft | |
| RAT | Paige Ramsay | |
| OTTER | Marina Merrick | |
| BADGER | Jonah Stewart | |
| TOAD | Raine Oyrer | |
| DRIVER | Paige Ramsay | |
| POLICE CONSTABLE | Victoria Hutchinson | |
| HEAD WEASEL | Sienna Irwin | |
| WEASELS | Paige Ramsay, Victoria Hutchinson | |
| GERTRUDE | Ivy Quinlivan | |
| BARGEWOMAN | Londyn Molkentin |
CREW
| DIRECTOR / PRODUCER | Lis Shelley | |
| ASSISTANT TUTORS / STAGE MANAGERS | Angi High & Karl Auer | |
| BACKDROPS | Ivy Quinlivan | |
| LIGHTING | GCLX (Gerry Corcoran) | |
| SOUND / VIDEOGRAPHY | Mediamaze (Phil Evans) | |
| MASKS | Paige Ramsay | |
| COSTUMES | Kathleen Brewster | |
| TITLE IMAGE | Judy Shelley | |
| THANK YOU TO | Greg & Robyn Whitby |
