In the wrong hands this show could be become exactly what it is trying to send up; a clap-along, preppy, saccharine affair. However the blistering choreography, catchy score and some fantastic performances mean this restaging works on every level.
So while this is a challenging night in the theatre in the best sense, it remains incomplete and unfinished and invites further revision and reflection on the part of the very able performers and highly thoughtful creators.
The evening was notable for reviving a work of genuine tuneful elegance and comic potential. The commitment and skill of the production overall makes you want to see the same company offer a fully staged run in a larger venue – and soon.
Inevitably there are many priceless anecdotes that had to be left out of this play, and its dramatic transformation is not perfect. But it captures the spirit of the original faithfully, and will one hopes bring more readers to a book that is now well on its way to becoming a modern classic. Humour like this, formed in the face of adversity, is a form of grace that generously helps to make life more bearable for everyone else.
In sum, this is a thoroughly absorbing evening in the theatre with high professional values across the board, but where the real rewards and revelation come in the second half.
DiPietro’s character studies vere dangerously close to stereotypes at times but ultimately the truth of the characters and their circumstances win out. There’s drama and humour aplenty, but DiPietro is skilled at lulling the audience into a sense of false comfort through the use of sex, leaving us to realise the loneliness and despair that some of these characters feel.
The Backward Fall is a thoughtful and touching play. It handles the effects of early-onset Alzheimer’s with great sensitivity, and I feel enriched for having seen it. A few unsubtle touches, coupled with a rushed conclusion, prevent the story from achieving its full potential – however the intelligent script and excellent performances certainly make this worth a watch.
Overall, The Wind in the Willows is an enjoyable evening, with some inventive moments and excellent performances from a talented young cast. Forget Wolf Hall, Toad Hall is the place to be over the next few days.
