“The Wind in the Willows”: full cast announced for the world premiere of the new adaptation at London’s Rose Theatre

The Rose Theatre in Kingston upon Thames, in southwest London, has revealed the cast and creative team for its Christmas production, “The Wind in the Willows”, a new adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s classic novel, as BroadwayWorld reports.

The adaptation is written by Rob Evans, with music by John Biddle, while Owen Horsley directs, returning to the Rose after the 2025 version of “Cinderella” which, according to The Stage, was described as “smart, well-built and heartfelt”. The show will run from Wednesday, November 25, 2026 to Sunday, January 3, 2027, with press night on December 3.

Together with the Rose Youth Theatre, the cast consists of Tori Burgess as Badger, Julian Holt as Toad, Charlotte Mills as Chief Weasel, James Pedley-Holden as Mole and Kingdom Sibanda as Ratty. Julian Holt comes after roles in “The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe” at the Gillian Lynne Theatre and “Little Shop of Horrors” at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, while Sibanda previously performed in “Stranger Things: The First Shadow”.

Rose Theatre artistic director Christopher Haydon said he was “thrilled” about this year’s Christmas show, describing Evans’ new adaptation as “absolutely wonderful — smart, moving and extremely festive”. Director Owen Horsley added that the story, with its iconic characters — Ratty, Badger, Mole and Toad — “has touched generations”, while author Rob Evans noted that writing for a Christmas audience is a “privilege” and “a unique opportunity to write for everyone”.

The production is part of the tradition of family shows of the Christmas season in British theatres, where “The Wind in the Willows” remains one of the most beloved classics of children’s literature since its publication in 1908.