This is an original version of the well-known novel by Kenneth Grahame. It is largely faithful to the original story with all of the familiar characters and the addition of Ferret, Weasel and Mrs Pot as ‘baddies’ from the Wild Wood. A narrator enables some the beautiful original language of the book to be used and also covers some scene changes. This is a fun family show suitable for all ages and is relatively simple to stage. The script includes places to use songs if required.
Male – 2
Female – 4
Male or female – 12
Junior - 1
There are also small speaking parts for various chorus members and juniors. Many of these parts could be played by male or female of any age and could also be played by juniors. Some doubling is possible as some of the parts are small.
Excerpt
Toad: This is the end of everything! At least, this is the end of the career of Toad, which is the same thing. The popular, handsome, rich Toad. The Toad so free and careless and debonair. I who have been imprisoned for stealing a motor car in such an audacious manner, and for bestowing such cheek upon a number of fat, red-faced policemen. Stupid animal that I was! I should have listened to Badger.
Daughter: Here Toad, I have brought you some dinner. Are you well?
Toad: No, I am an unhappy and forsaken Toad.
Daughter: Now cheer up Toad. Sit up and dry your eyes and be a sensible animal. Do try and eat your dinner, it’s hot from the oven.
Toad: What is it? I’m not hungry.
Daughter: It’s bubble and squeak.
Toad: Well, perhaps I am just a little hungry in that case.
Daughter: And here’s a steaming hot cup of tea for you.
Toad: Thank you for appreciating how important I am. I, the one and only Toad of Toad Hall.
Daughter: Tell me about Toad Hall.
Toad: It is an eligible, self-contained gentleman’s residence. Very unique and dating in part from the 14th century but replete with every modern convenience. Up to date sanitation. Five minutes from the church, the post-office and the golf links.
Daughter: I want to hear about it, not to buy it! Do you live there alone?
Toad: Apart from my charming housekeeper, Mrs Pot. I’m not lonely though, I have the very best friends in the world. There’s Ratty and Mole and Otter and dear old Badger. They will be so upset wondering what has happened to me. (He starts to sob).
Daughter: Toad, listen to me a moment. I have an aunt who is a washer woman.
Toad: There, there, never mind. Think no more about it. I have several aunts who ought to be washer women.
Daughter: Do be quiet a minute Toad. You talk too much and I’m trying to think. As I said, I have an aunt who is a washer woman. She does the washing for all the prisoners in this castle.
Toad: Jolly decent of her.
Daughter: It occurs to me that you’re very rich. I think if I were to ask her, for a few pounds she would let you have her dress and bonnet.
Toad: But why would I want them, that’s the question?
Daughter: You could escape from the castle in them, as the official washer woman. You’re very alike in many respects, particularly about the figure.
Toad: We are not! I have a very elegant figure.
Daughter: So has my aunt! Have it your own way you horrid, proud, ungrateful animal. I was only trying to help you.
Toad: I beg your pardon, thank you very much indeed. Look here though, you can’t have Mr Toad of Toad Hall going about the country disguised as a washer woman.
Daughter: Then you can stay here as a Toad!
Toad: Very well, introduce me to your aunt if you would be so kind.
Daughter: Aunt! Come along in.
The Washer Woman enters DR, carrying a bundle of clothes.
Washer Woman: I've brought the items but I want the money before I hand them over.
Toad: Very well, open the door and we will seal the deal.
The Daughter opens a gap in the bars and Toad walks through. He hands over some coins and they shake hands.
Washer Woman: Now then, here’s a nice gown and a shawl. I’ve brought you a bonnet too.
Daughter: Thank you aunt, you’ve done very well.
Washer Woman: Now, you can tie me up and dump me down in a corner of the gaol.
Toad: My good woman, why on earth would I do such a thing?
Washer Woman: So that no-one suspects I’ve helped you. If they think you’ve merely overpowered me then I won’t lose my job.
Toad: Excellent! Then they will think I’m a desperate and dangerous fellow and my reputation will be intact.
Toad and the Gaoler’s Daughter tie the Washer Woman up and put her in the gaol. The tabs close leaving Toad and the Gaoler's Daughter in front.
Daughter: Now then Toad, take off that coat and waistcoat of yours. You’re fat enough as it is.
The Gaoler’s Daughter helps Toad to dress in the clothes.
Daughter: First the gown, over your head.
Toad: Careful, I must look my best.
Daughter: Now the shawl around your shoulders, that’s right.
Toad: Add the bonnet and there we are!
Daughter: You’re the very image of my aunt. You never looked half so respectable in all your life before.
Toad: Somehow I doubt that.
Male – 2
Female – 4
Male or female – 12
Junior - 1
There are also small speaking parts for various chorus members and juniors. Many of these parts could be played by male or female of any age and could also be played by juniors. Some doubling is possible as some of the parts are small.
Excerpt
Toad: This is the end of everything! At least, this is the end of the career of Toad, which is the same thing. The popular, handsome, rich Toad. The Toad so free and careless and debonair. I who have been imprisoned for stealing a motor car in such an audacious manner, and for bestowing such cheek upon a number of fat, red-faced policemen. Stupid animal that I was! I should have listened to Badger.
Daughter: Here Toad, I have brought you some dinner. Are you well?
Toad: No, I am an unhappy and forsaken Toad.
Daughter: Now cheer up Toad. Sit up and dry your eyes and be a sensible animal. Do try and eat your dinner, it’s hot from the oven.
Toad: What is it? I’m not hungry.
Daughter: It’s bubble and squeak.
Toad: Well, perhaps I am just a little hungry in that case.
Daughter: And here’s a steaming hot cup of tea for you.
Toad: Thank you for appreciating how important I am. I, the one and only Toad of Toad Hall.
Daughter: Tell me about Toad Hall.
Toad: It is an eligible, self-contained gentleman’s residence. Very unique and dating in part from the 14th century but replete with every modern convenience. Up to date sanitation. Five minutes from the church, the post-office and the golf links.
Daughter: I want to hear about it, not to buy it! Do you live there alone?
Toad: Apart from my charming housekeeper, Mrs Pot. I’m not lonely though, I have the very best friends in the world. There’s Ratty and Mole and Otter and dear old Badger. They will be so upset wondering what has happened to me. (He starts to sob).
Daughter: Toad, listen to me a moment. I have an aunt who is a washer woman.
Toad: There, there, never mind. Think no more about it. I have several aunts who ought to be washer women.
Daughter: Do be quiet a minute Toad. You talk too much and I’m trying to think. As I said, I have an aunt who is a washer woman. She does the washing for all the prisoners in this castle.
Toad: Jolly decent of her.
Daughter: It occurs to me that you’re very rich. I think if I were to ask her, for a few pounds she would let you have her dress and bonnet.
Toad: But why would I want them, that’s the question?
Daughter: You could escape from the castle in them, as the official washer woman. You’re very alike in many respects, particularly about the figure.
Toad: We are not! I have a very elegant figure.
Daughter: So has my aunt! Have it your own way you horrid, proud, ungrateful animal. I was only trying to help you.
Toad: I beg your pardon, thank you very much indeed. Look here though, you can’t have Mr Toad of Toad Hall going about the country disguised as a washer woman.
Daughter: Then you can stay here as a Toad!
Toad: Very well, introduce me to your aunt if you would be so kind.
Daughter: Aunt! Come along in.
The Washer Woman enters DR, carrying a bundle of clothes.
Washer Woman: I've brought the items but I want the money before I hand them over.
Toad: Very well, open the door and we will seal the deal.
The Daughter opens a gap in the bars and Toad walks through. He hands over some coins and they shake hands.
Washer Woman: Now then, here’s a nice gown and a shawl. I’ve brought you a bonnet too.
Daughter: Thank you aunt, you’ve done very well.
Washer Woman: Now, you can tie me up and dump me down in a corner of the gaol.
Toad: My good woman, why on earth would I do such a thing?
Washer Woman: So that no-one suspects I’ve helped you. If they think you’ve merely overpowered me then I won’t lose my job.
Toad: Excellent! Then they will think I’m a desperate and dangerous fellow and my reputation will be intact.
Toad and the Gaoler’s Daughter tie the Washer Woman up and put her in the gaol. The tabs close leaving Toad and the Gaoler's Daughter in front.
Daughter: Now then Toad, take off that coat and waistcoat of yours. You’re fat enough as it is.
The Gaoler’s Daughter helps Toad to dress in the clothes.
Daughter: First the gown, over your head.
Toad: Careful, I must look my best.
Daughter: Now the shawl around your shoulders, that’s right.
Toad: Add the bonnet and there we are!
Daughter: You’re the very image of my aunt. You never looked half so respectable in all your life before.
Toad: Somehow I doubt that.