The Enlightenment of Mr Mole: Based On the Book Wind In the Willows By Kenneth Graham

By B H Barry

B. H. Barry is the only Fight Director to receive the Tony, Drama Desk and Obie Awards for “Sustained Excellence in Stage Choreography.” He is known throughout the United States and Europe as an accomplished master. B.H. Barry’s work ranges from Rudolf Nureyev’s ballet Romeo and Juliet to Franco Zeffirelli’s Carmen at the Metropolitan Opera. On Broadway. he created fights for Golden Boy, Crazy for You, Kiss Me Kate, City Of Angels, Noises Off, I Hate Hamlet, Moon Over Buffalo, Ragtime and many others. His films include Glory, Macbeth, The Addams Family and Mulan. He was the Stunt Coordinator for All My Children for seventeen years. Honed from fifty years of experience his three books B.H. Barry Fights for Shakespeare-Romeo and Juliet, B.H. Barry Fights for Shakespeare-Macbeth and Hamlet, and B.H. Barry Fights for Everyone, are a must have for all those in the profession.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Nov 29, 2018
• ISBN: 9781483492735

Book preview

The

Enlightenment

of

Mr Mole

Based on the book

Wind in the Willows

by Kenneth Graham

Adapted by

B H BARRY

Copyright © 2018 B H Barry.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means—whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic—without written permission of the author, except in the case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

ISBN: 978-1-4834-9274-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4834-9273-5 (e)

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Lulu Publishing Services rev. date: 11/13/2018

The play was first presented at

The Schoolhouse Theater

North Salem

November 2018

And later at

The Sheen Center

New York City

December 2018

ORIGINAL CAST

Chief Weasel…………………………………………Mattt Biagini

Portly, Beryl Rabbit,

V C Weasel, Corporal Timothy………………………Elizabeth Gilbert

Alfred, Judge…………………………………………John Christopher Jones

Rabbit Roger,Otter,Norman,Policeman,

Train Driver………………………………………… Judge-Russo

Jenny Weasel,Clerk,Aunt,Barge Woman…………… Ilene Kristen

Rat……………………………………………………Adam Petherbridge

Amelia Rabbit,Judy Weasel,

Pheobe,Cynthia………………………………………Madeline Adelle Phillips

Mole………………………………………………… Dan Renkin

Toad………………………………………………… Ken Shatz

Badger ……………………………………………… Marshall York

SETTING: in the heart of the country side of England and in the depths of your imagination.

Act 1……………………………………Mr. Mole Meets The World

10 Minute Intermission

Act 2……………………………………Mr. Mole Becomes a Hero

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Ilene Kristen, (Barge Woman) Ken Shatz (Toad)

PageVIIIJohnChristopherJonesAlfred.jpg

John Christopher Jones (Alfred)

MoleandRat.jpg

Dan Renkin (Mole) Adam Petherbridge (Rat)

I have been in love with the story of Wind in the Willows from when I was child. Like many children, I identified with Mr Mole and his struggle to be a part of the world around him. It has been a lifelong desire of mine to make it a play. It has all of the best elements- adventure, friendship, comedy and a happy ending. The story is well known by the older generation and less by the younger.

This is the best play ever for grandparents with grandchildren, and also for the box office. When it comes to getting young adults into the theater they can always say no to their parents but it is a hundred times more difficult to say no to your grandparents so everybody wins.

The play was performed in North Salem, NY during Thanksgiving to a very receptive audience and then again at Christmas to a sold out audience at The Sheen Center, in New York City. There are many versions of Wind in the Willows requiring large sets or complicated makeup. I have created a theater piece that can be performed on a shoestring. Although there are many characters, the play can be played by a small cast or stretched to include many performers.

Why have I changed the title? I felt that if I called it Wind in the Willows it would be thought of as a children’s theater piece, thus excluding a grown up audience. The Enlightenment of Mr. Mole sounds more adult and because I was aiming at ages between 8 and 80 plus, the more adult title seemed correct. By the way, grandparents did bring their grandchildren and said that they and their grandkids had a wonderful time and that they were now going to read the book to them. Kenneth Graham they are now all yours.

About the play

The set requirements are easily obtained from any local hardware store. I have kept the set as simple and adaptable as possible. Four furniture dollies with riverside reeds attached are shackled together to form a chain. Tie lines are attached to either end of the chain so that the dollies can be moved from one side of the stage to the other. The curtain (silk) acts as an all purpose backcloth. It is set at an angle so that entrances can be made upstage and downstage. At several moments during the play it is moved from one diagonal to another, creating a moving space. For instance, during the chase it is moved to provided a shadow screen for the angry crowd. I did not want to use animal makeup or costumes. I found that they were not necessary. The actors found moments when they could hint at the animal they were playing, usually this happened when their animal was under emotional stress.

Use of props

Toad’s entrance and the car are moved by one of the smallest actors, who sits on the dollie and propels it by moving their feet.

The tin cans are used for all of the hand props, stew, breakfast, crystal ball, jury etc.

The ladder, in different positions, becomes the boat, the train, doors and a mirror, as well as a platform for the Chief Weasel, and the Judge.

The astro turf rolled up becomes the Chimney for the Train. Brooms become oars and are also used as weapons in the fight.

Director’s note :

The bigger the problem the better the answer.

Be inventive and put the play back in play.

B H Barry

THE CAST

MOLE, TOAD, BADGER AND RATTY. They only play one part, the rest double, triple….. or not.

MOLE

Shy, Sensitive, wants to please everyone. A hidden tenaciousness. He will make the journey from being timid to being a hero.Human condition;