Children’s theater group celebrates friendship and home

With a flourish of whiskers, tails and laughter, the Markham Theater Group opened its fall production “The Adventures of Moley and Ratty” last week.

Based on the classic children’s tale, “The Wind in the Willows,” the play recalls well-timed scenes of friendship and home, intended to coincide with the beginning of the holiday season.

“This story was really important to me as a child,” said Director Beth Taylor. “My mom would read the chapter when Mole comes home and the field mice would carol every Christmas Eve ... so to me the first half of it is a Christmas story.”

As with other productions, Taylor adapted the work for theater, creating a play out of prose.

“This [story] doesn’t get a whole lot of attention and we’re trying to bring some of the classic works to a new audience,” she said of her choice.

The play condenses the first half of the book into an hour-long production with a host of kid-friendly animal characters.

“This is Moley’s journey through the seasons,”Taylor said. “He leaves the safety of his home to find out more about the world and in the end he comes back and realizes the value of [home].”

At a time when families come together to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, Taylor believes the play will resonate with local theater-goers.

“We thought we would give people something to do with children on the weekend after Thanksgiving,” she said of the show, which runs this Friday and Saturday at the Marshall Community Center. “This would be a neat family thing to do during a family holiday.”

The 12-member cast is comprised of new and returning Markham Theater participants.

Although many were unfamiliar with the story before auditioning, students described the plot as “fun” and “exciting.”

According to 13-year-old Mason Hicks, his character, Moley, is simply “tired of living under ground and doing the same thing day in and day out.”

After venturing out on a mission of spring cleaning, the somewhat timid homebody is befriended by Ratty, who takes Moley under his wing and introduces him to the great outdoors.

“Rat is sort of a normal adventurous kind of guy, but not too insane or too weird,” said Michael Nolan, 13, of his character.

“This play is about true friendship and adventure,” said Austin Celuska, 12, who plays Badger.

For many, the introduction of Mr. Toad half-way through the play is a highlight of the production.

“I love it when Toad discovers cars and goes crazy for them,” Nolan said.

The group’s spring performance, “The Adventures of Mr. Toad,” will relate the second half of the book’s narrative, focusing on the amusing and somewhat crazed amphibian whose friends must rescue from his scrapes.

“He’s really wacky,” said Hannah Taylor, 13, describing her character. “He’s a rich eccentric ... always trying new things.”

She believes the upcoming weekend performances will “make people laugh.”

“I hope people come and have a great time and start the winter holidays with a good feeling,” said Beth Taylor. “I think it will take parents back to their childhood and put everyone in a holiday spirit.”

“The Adventures of Moley and Ratty,” runs Friday, Nov. 25 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 26 at 3 p.m. at the Marshall Community Center Auditorium. Admission is $3 for ages 16 and younger, and $5 for ages 17 and older. For tickets, contact the Marshall Community Center at (540) 422-8580.