Have you ever wondered what happened to Toad when he left prison!? Well this Christmas, let East Riding Theatre take you into the world of Toad, Mole and Badger as they venture into East Riding in the brand new play, Toad on the Wolds, proudly sponsored by Lairgate Financial, written by Gordon Meredith and directed by Richard Avery.
This action-packed adventure is crammed full of humour, mystery, and enough Christmas spirit to delight all generations from ages 8-108. Running from Wednesday 6 to Saunday 31 December 2023.
ERT’s Artistic Director Richard Avery says: “After the success of 2022’s A Dickens of a Christmas, I’m thrilled to work once again with ERT’s talented team to stage a story that places these well-loved characters in the heart of Yorkshire. What better, too, than to have the wonderfully skilled Gordon Meredith writing the script?”
Gordon Meredith, whose Paint the Town Fred went down a storm at ERT and in Hull last year, talks about writing the script: “Richard Avery is a huge fan of The Wind in the Willows and I was delighted when he asked me to develop a story inspired by the original book by Kenneth Grahame.
“To be commissioned to write the script for East Riding Theatre’s Christmas production is a significant milestone in my writing career, and it has been a joy to immerse myself once more in this classic tale. I’ve created a brand-new adventure for the whole family that is rooted in the world, language, and culture of The Wind in the Willows, drawing on well-loved existing characters, and introducing new ones who I hope audiences will enjoy meeting.”
Toad is once again in jail but a desperate letter from his ailing uncle spurs him to flee to East Yorkshire to save the ancestral home, Toad Manor, from the clutches of the evil Weasels.
An ingenious escape plan results in Toad and his intrepid friends’ arrival in the East Riding during the festive season. There they encounter Wesley Weasel, his despicable cronies, and their cunning plan to take over the family estate before midnight on 31st December. The scene is set for a show full of surprises, including a road trip to the Yorkshire Wolds, a treasure hunt, booby traps, and an epic battle before the New Year’s Eve fireworks go off!
Tickets are £24 (£23 concessions and £14 under 16s) and available from www.eastridingtheatre.co.uk/toad-on-the-wolds