WIND IN THE WILLOWS

Well for the first time with KATS I am double hatted! I am delighted to be Chair of KATS but also to have been to be allowed to direct such an exciting musical!

Being Chair of such a vibrant, active, and professional theatrical society is an honour. This year has seen our greatest influx of new members both on and off stage and what we keep on hearing is how welcoming and friendly we are – so if you are reading this and want to join – just do it!

It takes some time to choose a musical…firstly you need to ensure the Musical Director and Choreographer like it – tick! Then you need to be able to cast it (KATS rarely is bothered with intermixing male and female parts – tick!) …and finally, you need approval from the Committee…luckily, they all loved the idea…tick!

This year has not only seen new cast (several taking lead roles) on stage but also a new Set Designer and several new design assistants and costume assistants. For the first time we bought the making of props and set items into rehearsals – making a more cohesive unit – great for comradery and really feeling like a team. I could not have done this without the constant support from our wonderful MD and choreographer – still not entirely sure what a click track is!!

When I told our wonderful Costume lady that each chorus member would be at least 3 parts – and there were 20 chorus – she hardly batted an eyelid! Our Stage Manager was not phased with pages of props or indeed getting her mother to crochet hats, ears and tails – what a team!

A huge thank you to Toad Hall Cottages who have proudly sponsored all our advertising – to have such strong local support is fantastic. Also, to Palladium, our local builder’s merchant, who supplied us with endless amounts of wood and ply – again without such help putting on such large productions would not be possible.

This show has been a mammoth effort from every person, and I thank every single one of them from the bottom of my heart. Everyone should have a go at directing – there is a lot more to it than you think but with the team I had I hope you will see that it was all worth it.

Now sit back and enjoy – poop poop!

Carey first joined KATS ten years ago when she played a lead role in Steel Magnolias. In 2019, she returned to direct Guys and Dolls and in the summer play of the same year, she played Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers which earned KATs the award for best drama. In 2022, she directed ‘9 to 5’ for which KATS received the NODA Award for best musical.

Last year she put her own twist on My Fair Lady to critical acclaim and sell out audiences. This year she has taken on the role of choreographer which has proved an enjoyable challenge due to the complexity of the score and narrative, but she has thoroughly enjoyed working with this incredibly talented and hard-working cast.

He spent over ten years as Music Director for Havering Singers and was principal conductor for the Essex Choral Festival.

He is highly experienced Musical Director for the stage with previous credits including Crazy for You, Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Forum, Grease, Hello Dolly, Bugsy Malone, and Jospeh and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and was resident Musical Director for 42nd Street at the Edinburgh Festival.

After a highly enjoyable KATS debut with My Fair Lady last year, Keith is delighted to return to the company and has thoroughly enjoyed working with a talented young cast. He lives with his wife Sally, daughter Liberty and two brainless but adorable dogs.

Christine has played in countless KATS plays and musicals over the past 17 years and has loved every minute. Her most recent roles were Mrs Higgins in My Fair Lady and spiteful spinster, Miss Emily Brent in And Then There Were None. She is delighted to be a member of the Hedgehog family in this fabulously fun musical.

Julie is very excited to be performing in her third production with KATS and taking on the role of the Magistrate as well as various assorted animals. She has loved working with this very professional and friendly cast and crew on this wonderful musical but she has never had so many costume changes!

Jasmine recently moved back to the UK after 18 years in New Zealand where she was involved in school productions and local musicals. Most recently she did multiple years in the parody and fun filled University Law Revue, producing in her final year. She says “Chief Weasel is a fizzy and fanatic character to play – he is a hell of a lot of fun!”

This is Caroline’s third KATS production. She is delighted she’s progressed from playing a drunk in her two previous roles to being a stoat baddie in this year’s show. Caroline says, “It’s been a delight to play such a villainous rogue!”

This is the first KATS production Megan has taken part in, after years of watching the performances in awe between MAD Kids musicals and pantomimes. She has now joined the cast of this amazing musical during her gap year before she goes to Brighton to complete an acting course this September. Megan has really enjoyed the professionalism of this show and has enjoyed being pushed in a different way such as acting and singing with an accent whilst dressing a cast member as a woman!

Having moved to Salcombe, Sarah is a newcomer to amateur dramatics and is making her stage debut in this production. She is a singer in the local gospel choir and loves it so much she thought she’d spread her wings to be a member of The Wind of the Willows chorus.

Caroline was born and brought up in Dartmouth. She moved upriver to Dittisham in 2005 and joined Ditsum Players. Her first role was in a murder mystery. Since moving nearer to Kingsbridge a few years ago, this is Caroline’s third KATS musical having been in both 9 to 5 and My Fair Lady.

Last year, Jo landed her first acting role as Elaine the cockney beautician in Calendar Girls. This year she is performing in her first musical as Cheryl Stoat. Jo describes her character as “a special, sassy, and silly stoat who loves hanging out with Chief Weasel.” Jo says being in the show has been an incredible journey.