Local Watford actor Steve Smith has built himself a reputation for delivering top notch one-man plays which deal with challenging, troubling themes in a visceral and unsettling way. From the World War One heartbreak of Private Peaceful and the gothic horror of One Man Poe to the brutal alienation of Dog/Actor and Harry's Christmas, Smith has an enviable back catalogue when it comes to disturbing his audiences.
And so it's utterly refreshing to see him present 'The Wind in the Willows' as part of this year's Watford Fringe Festival. He focuses exclusively on Chapter One: The Riverbank, but that was enough to completely transport me to the gentle, calming, undulating world of Kenneth Grahame's 1908 classic.
He sets the scene with a few careful chosen details, a picnic blanket, a stack of books, his Edwardian costume. I was particularly touched by the four garden ornaments representing Mole, Ratty, Badger and Toad, lined up in their order of narrative appearance, and looking well worn and well loved. Indeed, Smith shared with us that they've come straight from his mother's garden and reflect a strong family connection to the story which was one of his grandfather's favourites.
The use of music to create a sense of atmosphere is superb, moving us seamlessly between serenity, whimsy and danger. Composed by Joe Furey, the tracks are subtle and sensitive, enhancing scenes rather than demanding attention.
Smith's performance was equally sensitive. As narrator he drew us into Grahame's whimsical riverbank world with a confident charm, and in character he was lively and mercurial. Mole was, as ever, a rather hunched nail-fidgeting innocent, Ratty his rather more bombastic mentor. Badger makes a brief appearance as an anti-social curmudgeon while the oft forgotten Otter, frequently excised from adaptations, finally gets his moment in the spotlight.
In a theatrical landscape full of flash, bang and gimmicks, it's delightful to sit back and simply be told a story by a master of story-telling. Originally developed with Watford Council as a project to promote the River Colne, this production was first performed actually at the river side, which would have been magical to see. But even on stage at the Wellspring Centre, it's completely enchanting. I hope Smith goes on to dramatise further chapters. I for one would be very happy to spend more time in Mole and Ratty's simpler world.
Catch Steve Smith at three other shows during this Watford Fringe Festival:
The Apple of My Eye: The Steve Jobs Musical
One Man Poe (several available)
And catch my brand new musical Love in Slough, 5.30pm on Friday12th at the Pumphouse Theatre.
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