The Wind in The Willows is a Grand family day out this August

Be swept away by Kenneth Grahame’s enchanting tale of THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS at Blackpool Grand Theatre from Thursday 14 August to Saturday 16 August with the welcome return of The Grand’s professionally presented SUMMER YOUTH PRODUCTION.

Following The Grand’s smash-hit Summer Youth Production of Bugsy Malone the Musical in 2024, the theatre’s creative and production teams are thrilled to be opening the doors (and the riverbank!) to work with young people from all across the Fylde Coast and beyond once again to professionally produce and stage an enchanting musical adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s best-selling classic The Wind in the Willows.

The Wind in The Willows musical is based on Kenneth Grahame’s beloved tale of animal friends and riverbank neighbours Mole, Rat, Toad and Badger; with book by Oscar-winning screenwriter and Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes and songs by Olivier Award-winning composers and lyricists George Stiles and Anthony Drewe.

The Wind in the Willows began as a series of bedtime stories for Grahame’s son and was first published in 1908. The beautifully written work, with its evocative descriptions of the countryside interspersed with exciting adventures, quickly became a classic of English children’s literature. The magical tales relate the adventures of several animal friends and neighbours in the English countryside - primarily mild-mannered Mole, friendly Rat, boastful Toad and wise Badger. Although the animals converse, philosophise and behave like humans, each creature also retains its distinctive animal habits.

The Grand’s Summer Youth Production is open to everyone from seasoned performers to first timers and is the perfect place for young people to make a splash and experience the magic of musical theatre with full professional direction, choreography and vocal coaching.

Director of The Wind in The Willows and Blackpool Grand Theatre Creative Programme Producer, Mykey J Young, said of this year’s magnificent musical production: “We launched the Summer Youth Production programme last year with Bugsy Malone and it was such an overwhelming success that we have once again invited young people to join us over three exciting weeks to learn, rehearse and perform a fully staged musical on the Grand Theatre's main stage, professionally produced by a talented team of theatre makers.

“The Wind in The Willows is a story of adventure, friendship, community, trust and loyalty – which is the perfect choice for all the talented young people we are working with this year. This adaptation stood out due to its gorgeous musical score, and we knew the cast would love working on it. It’s also very colourful with brilliant characters and a stunningly vibrant set based around the famous riverbank, which has been beautifully designed and built by Dave Renwick our very own Technical Stage Manager.”

This production is also supported by The Grand Young Technicians – a popular programme for young people aged between 14 and 19 which is generously supported by The Backstage Trust and offers participants the chance to work alongside a professional technical crew on a live production in a nurturing and supportive environment.

Mykey added: “The commitment of all the young people we work with at The Grand is something that never ceases to amaze me and everyone will be blown away by this year’s cast and crew I’m sure. Lucky audience members will get to see some incredible young people having the best time of their lives in a beautiful and fun production. They’ll all have worked so hard to and will have such an incredible energy that I promise audiences will find it very special to watch.”

This wild and wonderful Summer Youth Production promises a boatload of fun for all, so don’t let this opportunity sail away! Grab your tickets now and get ready for a riotous evening by the riverbank…

The Wind in The Willows is presented through special arrangement with, and all authorised performance materials are supplied by, Theatrical Rights Worldwide (TRW) www.theatricalrights.co.uk

The Summer Youth Production of Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in The Willows is presented by Blackpool Grand Theatre from Thursday 14 August to Saturday 16 August with evening and matinee performances.

Tickets from £15 with Group rates available and Concessions for Friends of The Grand and 1894 Club members.

Please call the Grand Theatre Box Office on 01253 290190 or visit www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk for full listings, bookings and further information.

LISTINGS

The Wind in The Willows – Thu 14 Aug to Sat 16 Aug at 7pm

Sat matinee at 1.30pm

Grand Theatre, 33 Church Street, Blackpool FY1 1HT

Box Office 01253 290 190

blackpoolgrand.co.uk

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