MYC: Wind in the Willows
(inc. £2.50 ticket levy)
Show Bio
The Wind in the Willows
Presented by Mercury Young Company
“Here today, up and off to somewhere else tomorrow! The whole world before you, and a horizon that’s always changing.”
Adventure, friendship and a whole lot of mischief await on the riverbank!
Join Mole, Ratty, Badger, and the irrepressible Mr. Toad in this magical world premiere adaptation of The Wind in the Willows. From acclaimed writer Anne Odeke and director Sian Burford-Thomas, The Wind in the Willows features the extraordinary talent of the Mercury Young Company. This joyful retelling brings fresh energy, Essex charm, and a contemporary twist to Kenneth Grahame’s beloved tale.
This heart-warming show celebrates the power of friendship, the beauty of nature, and the thrill of adventure – perfect for all ages.
This production is a celebration of local talent, from page to stage. With a vibrant young cast and an Essex-based creative team, The Wind in the Willows promises to be a feel-good family treat you won’t want to miss.
Come along and support the next generation of theatre-makers as they bring a classic to life with heart and humour.
Mercury Young Company
Mercury Young Company, or MYC, is our year-round ensemble of young people training to be the theatre-makers of tomorrow. Our groups meet weekly to explore playful new methods of storytelling and create exciting pieces of theatre. Our fun, friendly classes focus on training young people to work together as an ensemble. Cooperation, collaboration and communication are our goals. The Wind in the Willows will be the young people’s first full production on the main stage.
Accessibility and Content to Consider
This is a family show, but further details around content will be released in due course.
Afternoon Teas
Come and enjoy a delicious freshly made afternoon tea of sandwiches, scones, cakes, and filter coffee or tea ahead of your show! Dietary requirements can be added when booking (including vegetarian and vegan).
Simply add to your basket when booking online (see the You might also be interested in… page once you have selected your tickets) or with our friendly Box Office team! Served 90 minutes before the show. Limited spaces per performance so book early to avoid disappointment.
Transport Bursary for Schools
We have a limited number of transport bursary places available for schools to support them accessing the theatre. Find out more and apply via the form below.
Cast
Sian Burford-Thomas
Director
Sian Burford-Thomas
Director
Sian’s is dedicated to working in participatory theatre, and has run numerous youth theatres, community projects, schools’ residencies, digital participation projects and more, and has directed a range of productions. Sian has lived and worked in London, Shetland and now East Anglia, and her work includes projects with Hampstead Theatre, Almeida Projects, Farnham Maltings, Shetland Arts, Theatre Royal Bury, Suffolk Libraries, The Food Museum and Mercury Theatre. Sian was Creative Communities Producer at the New Wolsey Theatre for nearly 9 years until 2023, where she designed and delivered a multitude of projects for schools, youth theatres & community groups, programmed the children & family shows and produced several successful funded projects, one of which was award-nominated.
Work as a director includes:
Dark Sky Reserves (a radio play), The Twits, Through the Looking Glass (And What Alice Found There) (all for New Wolsey Youth Theatre), A Doll’s House, Gargantua, There is a War, Lay Your Sleeping Head, The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Cautionary Tales for Children (all for Rose Youth Theatre, Kingston), Brokenville and Where Are We? (both for Farnham Maltings Young Company), King Lear (Rose Theatre Kingston, Versophiles), and multiple other devised and scripted projects.
Sian is currently the lead practitioner for the Mercury Theatre Young Company 13-17 groups, as well as for our Adult Carers Project and multiple other workshop projects.
Anne Odeke
Writer
Anne Odeke is an actor, and playwright currently living in Essex. [FROM TASH – suggesting we remove emerging – is that from Anne?]
As actor, Anne trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, and over the course of her career has performed for the likes of Shakespeare’s Globe, the RSC, and at theatres such as The Birmingham Rep, The Watermill, The Royal Lyceum Edinburgh and many more. She has also just finished filming for the new upcoming BBC comedy series ‘Babies’.
As a playwright, Anne has written for Storyhouse Theatre, The Almeida and BBC Radio 4.
Her latest play, ‘Princess Essex’ (in which Anne also played the lead) was performed on the main stage of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. The play went on to be nominated for ‘Best New Play’ at the WhatsOnStage Awards 2025, and Anne was also nominated for ‘Best Performer in a Play’ alongside the likes of David Tennant and Tom Holland.
Creatives
Director – Sian Burford-Thomas
Writer – Anne Odeke
Assistant Directors/Mercury Young Company Practitioners – Vivien Carter, Joanna Dodd, Ryan Hanlon, Matthew Jewson and Macey Rhianne
Costume Designer – Louise Worrall
Further creatives to be announced…
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