Furness Theatre to play The Wind and the Willows in Barrow

Furness Youth Theatre, based in Pennington, are performing a three-date show on The Wind and the Willows at The Forum Barrow next month. 

The cast is made of 25 young people aged between nine and 19 years old from across Furness including Barrow, Ulverston and Dalton. 

This is the group's big show of the year and follows 2023’s hit productions of Beauty and the Beast and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.

Joseph Cunningham plays the character of Mr. Toad. (Image: Submitted)

The play will be directed by Chris Loveless, who trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.

His productions have played in London’s West End, New York and France, with several named critics’ choice by Time Out and the Evening Standard.

Locally, Chris has directed many productions for Furness Youth Theatre and its predecessor ACT Youth Theatre.

Chris said: "The kids did great in the rehearsals. I have a good bunch of them and they thoroughly enjoyed it. 

Rat and the mole. (Image: Submitted)

"This show is something for everyone really. I am sure a young audience will love it."

The play follow's Mike Kenny's adaptation of the novel written by Kenneth Grahame

"This delightful adaptation combines all the joy and mystery of Kenneth Grahame's much-loved classic with the lightness of touch and playful theatricality for which award-winning playwright Mike Kenny is known," said Chris. 

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Maddy Backhouse plays Rat. Maddy’s previous roles with FYT include Beauty in Beauty and the Beast and Bonnie in The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, for both of which she was nominated for the Association of Community Theatre award for Most Accomplished Actress and Mary in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.

Joseph Cunningham plays Toad and his previous roles with FYT include the Monster in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.

Opal Wheeler will be in her first leading role playing Mole and Cel Bispham in her first leading role playing Badger.

The synopsis reads: "Tired of spring-cleaning, Mole leaves Mole End and ventures out to the riverbank, where he befriends the resourceful Ratty, the gruff Badger, and the infamous Toad of Toad Hall (Poop-poop!).

"Together they explore the Wide World, and the Wild Wood, and try to keep Toad out of trouble."

The play will be on Thursday May 9 until Saturday 11 May at 7pm.

Tickets have a price of £12 and £10 for concessions.

To book your tickets contact the box office at 01229 820000 or book online at www.theforumbarrow.co.uk