Grade Levels:

Primary-8

Length:

90 minutes

Taping Rights:

Unlimited through August 2009

MARC Record:

Downloadable

Teaching Materials:

See Below

Stage One, Louisville’s professional theater for young people, presents an adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s classic children’s book The Wind in the Willows for the stage. In this version, the irrepressible Toad is taught again and again that “animals who go rushing around too fast get into lots of trouble.” But that doesn’t stop him from pursuing his latest fancy, the glorious automobile! Despite the efforts of practical Rat, fickle Otter, ingenious Mole, and sage Badger, modernization begins to intrude upon their tranquil country life.

Little do the animals realize that there is an even worse threat lurking in the shadows. With their attention diverted to Toad’s mishaps, they are caught off guard by the malicious Weasels. Having captured poor Mole and seized that monument of grandeur, Toad Hall, the Weasels can be defeated only if the friends—including Toad—all band together.

This 1989 KET production includes a short introductory segment that explores how the stage version is transformed into a television program.