Neil McDermott

FIRST LOOK: The Wind In The Willows at the London Palladium

Features, Gallery, West End
The Wind In The Willows The Musical at the London Palladium

We are pleased to bring you these great first look production photos from Darren Bell, Marc Brenner and Helen Maybanks of new musical The Wind In the Willows at the London Palladium. The Wind In The Willows stars Rufus Hound as the amazing Mr Toad, Simon Lipkin as Ratty, Craig Mather as Mole, Neil McDermott as Chief Weasel, with Denise Welch as Mrs Otter and Gary Wilmot as Badger. Based on Kenneth Grahame’s treasured novel which has captivated generations of readers for over a century, The Wind In the Willows has been adapted for the stage with a book by Academy Award-winning screenwriter and Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes and Olivier Award-winning composer and lyricist duo George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. This riotous comedy follows the impulsive Mr Toad whose insatiable need for speed lands him in serious trouble. With his beloved home under threat from the notorious Chief Weasel … Read more

UPCOMING: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, The Ambassadors Theatre

Features, Reviews
The Sorcerer's Apprentice a new musical by Ben Frost and Richard Hough

Julian Eaves attended a preview presentation of new musical The Sorcerer’s Apprentice by Ben Frost and Richard Hough. The wonderfully gifted songwriting team of Ben Frost (music) and Richard Hough (lyrics) are making their way steadily up the ladder of new talent in the world of musical theatre, and with this – their most recent project – they score a number of important successes. Seen just twice, in workshop ‘concert’ performances (although Ryan McBryde’d direction gave us nearly a whole production, at least as far as the six principals and narrator – the forces available here – were concerned), first in Letchworth and then at The Ambassador’s with an industry-heavy audience, this was a fascinating insight into the development of a new musical entertainment. Commissioned by James Seabright, the pair have devised and elaborated their own libretto, inspired by – rather than based on – the brief, rollickingly funny poetic … Read more