Family affair at Toad Hall

110914PBWillows IN REHEARSAL: A racy scene from Amdram's Wind in the Willows with, from left, Mole (Peter Dilloway), Ratty (Karen Ellett), Toad (Chris McKenzie) and Badger (Graham Dack). PICTURE: PAUL BROOKS

Amdram Theatre will be transformed this month for Wind in the Willows, the Kenneth Grahame classic adapted for screen by Alan Bennett. Paul Brooks finds out more about the 3D effects, Toad Hall and the woodland creaturesWith a cast of 45, director Mel Hawkins has her work cut out getting the production ready in time but she is confident that it will all go as planned.

"We've had five weeks from the auditions to when we go on," she says.

"Our top four - Mole, Ratty, Toad and Badger - are incredible. We had to make sure we had strong leads and we were so lucky to get the four we did. And we have a great cast with a lot of children." Many of the roles add colour and fill the stage with alternative activity while the leads take care of the lines.

"Because it's a movie script we've had to change little bits and pieces for the stage," Mel says. "We have a minimalist set which is always changing and moving; the cast do that. Everything else will be projected, like the barge and the train."

Mel chose the play because it's one of her favourites. "I love Wind in the Willows, I always have. I was in it when I was about 12, I loved it then and it was the one that's stuck in my head. So when they asked me what I wanted to do this year, it was 'that one'! We had more than 50 people audition."

This is Mel's second directing job after her debut last year with Alice in Wonderland, but she has been involved in theatre for years, usually performing. "I love directing, but I do miss being up here," she says, looking at the stage.

"It's the art of live theatre; kids don't experience as much as they used to. I think now that when you bring a show to life it's more important to the kids, and parents want to take them to see something that's not on a screen. "We do school visits, take about seven actors and do a little promotional piece - and it goes off! We did it last year with Alice in Wonderland."

Mel's daughter Shaila has a role as the Gaoler's Daughter and there are other families involved in the production.

"We've got the McKenzie family who are all involved, including nieces and nephews; Peter Dilloway plays Mole and his son Tyson is in it; we've got Talia (Annear-Kjoss) and her daughter; we've got a couple of sets of sisters, some brothers, an aunt and a niece - lots of family groups that want to do shows together."

Mel has Christina Emery helping out with production and Lynn Whiteside as musical director. More FM and Maxilab have come on as sponsors.

¦Wind in the Willows has performances on September 27 and 28, and from October 2 to 5. Book at the Royal Wanganui Opera House; there will also be some door sales.