Review: Blue Apple's Wind in the Willows 'Delightful and bright'

The curtain rose on Blue Apple Theatre's production of The Wind in the Willows and Chris Packham’s voice soothed the audience into the beginning of the performance as a guest voice artist.

The Blue Apple ensemble arrived on stage, painting a perfect image of the comradery and fellowship that the company strives for.

Blue Apple Theatre is a disability arts organisation running for the last 19 years. They have hosted local, national and international events, pushing for accessibility to texts for people with learning disabilities.

The Wind in the Willows (Image: Mike Hall) Their latest production balanced satire of the environmental crisis and the creation of a heartfelt performance. But it was fundamentally fuelled by the feeling of togetherness and community.

If anyone were to forget a line or pause to think, there was such patience and respect displayed by the performers and the audience: a silent pact had been made between everyone in the theatre.

Georgiana Robertson, chair emeritus of Blue Apple, divulged how proud she was of the show. 

She said: "The magic of watching the shows is enhanced even further for those who know the back stories of progress made by so many performers."

Georgiana has been a part of Blue Apple from the beginning as a founding board member in 2005. She shared how much the show meant to her and how one parent was in tears watching the achievements of their daughter.

The cast helped write the show and one - James Benfield - played two roles and co-directed as a part of Blue Apple’s Transforming Leadership Programme. Every member had a moment to shine, from Zak Marklew’s passionate vocals to Jane Chadwick’s command as the Judge.

The Wind in the Willows (Image: Mike Hall)

Stand-out performances at the shows on Wednesday, June 26 and Thursday, June 27, came from the four leads as their chemistry charged the show: Toad, Moley (Ros Davies), Ratty (Kym Nash) and Badger (Sam Dace). Sam ‘grew up watching The Wind in the Willows’ and has enjoyed every aspect of playing Badger and Ros got to perform a solo song for the first time in a Blue Apple show.

Kym praised the ‘collaborative space of rehearsals’ and how ‘it’s like being in one big family.’

Dr Alison Frater, chair of Blue Apple, commended the clever writing and the fantastic performers. She said: "I just thought it was brilliant, such a great adaptation of a classic with a really modern story." 

The show was delightful and bright, with a touching message of the thin line between heroes and villains in its conclusion.

Blue Apple’s ideals promote inclusion and diversity within the performing arts along with the creation of a safe space for people to express themselves in comfort and joy.

Georgiana encouraged the public to attend Blue Apple Theatre shows. She said: "You’ll get so much out of it.  We leave the theatre smiling and glowing inside!"