BRAVING the rain and wind, Tale Valley Community Theatre performed Wind in the Willows at Escot Park.

The script was an original adaptation of the story by local writer Nick Pruce, and Charles West composed the music.

The company used the River Tale to give the story relevance and as audience members approached the redwood knoll where the play was performed, they found Toad on the real river, with Badger fishing and Ratty and Moley picnicking.

Toad was played by Geoff Nicholson; The Weasels by eight actors from Sidmouth College; Moley, Tom Pettitt; Badger, Trevor Vanstone and Ratty, Laurie Palmer.

Director John Somers did not use a real plane to fly over, but a superb model painted by Roy Clements, an artist from Ottery St Mary. Other painting was done by Sharon Kilhams, a professional scenic artist from Uffculme .

The story was told by Tale Teller Stephanie Houghton whose daughter, Freya, played the gaoler's daughter. Alex Davies played Otter and a number of other parts, with John Somers playing the magistrate.

Ali Owen staged managed, assisted by Tilley Vanstone, Jayne Vanstone and Gill Tift. A choir of 12 under the direction of Charles West provided the choral support aided by instrumentalists Steve Chapman (bass guitar), Martyn Whitehead (clarinet) and Andrew Maries (accordion).

Ben Vallack, of Exeter-based PhotoTropic, filmed the production with Ben Scott and Mark Hayes on cameras two and three.