Show History
History
Inspiration
The Adventures of Mr. Toad is a fun-filled musical adaptation of Kenneth Grahame's 1908 children's book The Wind in the Willows, which relates the fall and rise of the impulsive Mr. Toad through a series of daring adventures. The stories and adventures related in The Adventures of Mr. Toad are particularly well-suited for Christmas.
Productions
The Adventures of Mr. Toad was first performed at the Haymarket Theatre in Basingstoke, England, in December of 1984. It was subsequently produced at the Theatre Royal in Winchester in January of 1985 and at London's Bloomsbury Theatre in December of 1986 through January of 1987.
The Adventures of Mr. Toad then played at The Bristol Old Vic during the 1987/1988 Christmas Season. That year, the show was also presented at The Secombe Centre in Sutton, England, followed by a UK tour in 1988.
In 1988 and 1989, The Adventures of Mr. Toad was seen at Dublin's The Olympia Theatre for a sellout Christmas production. The Adventures of Mr. Toad next played at The Watermill Theatre in Newbury, England, during its 1996/1997 Christmas Season.
Today, the show is also popular and frequently presented by amateur and school groups.
Cultural Influence
- A cast recording was made of The Adventures of Mr. Toad and MP3 tracks can be heard on the show's website.
- The Wind in the Willows has had a huge cultural influence since its publication in 1908; the stories and characters are beloved by generations. The material has been adapted for stage, screen, radio and even as a ride at Disneyland.
Trivia
- The Adventures of Mr. Toad broke box office records in its productions at both at the Watermill Theatre in Newbury and at The Bristol Old Vic.