Theatre News

Tony Robinson returns to stage in ROH's West End Wind in the Willows

The ”Blackadder” star will play the much-loved book’s author Kenneth Grahame, who narrates the action of the show

Tony Robinson was knighted this year
Tony Robinson was knighted this year
Time Team and Blackadder star Tony Robinson is returning to theatre for the first time in 16 years to play author Kenneth Grahame in the Royal Opera House's production of The Wind in the Willows, which runs at the Duchess Theatre this Christmas.

The show, which runs at the Duchess from 11 December 2013 to 1 February 2014, is the first ROH production to transfer commercially into the West End. Grahame acts as narrator of the production.

The cast also features Will Kemp (Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake), who will reprise his role as Ratty, Cris Penfold as Toad, Christopher Akrill as Badger and Clemmie Sveaas as Mole.

Other members of the company include: Ewan Wardrop, Paul James Rooney, Kayleigh Gore, Connor Dowling, Kirsty Mather, Anna Martine, Jo Meredith and Aron Wild.

Choreographed and directed by Will Tuckett, the production is in its tenth anniversary year and sees Kenneth Grahame's classic retold through dance, song, music and puppetry.

The Wind in the Willows marks Tony Robinson's return to the stage for the first time since 1997. He has previously appeared in the West End, at Chichester Festival Theatre and the National Theatre, as well as with the RSC.

His impressive list of theatre credits include: Stop The World I Want To Get Off at the Queens, Stephen D and Once Upon A Time at the Duke of York’s, The Beggar’s Opera at the Apollo, Follow The Star at The Westminster, The Apple Cart at The Saville, Piaf at The Piccadilly and Oresteia at the National.

Robinson, who trained at Central School of Speech and Drama, received a knighthood in this year's Queen’s Birthday Honours.

A scene from The Wind in the Willows
A scene from The Wind in the Willows