Denise Welch and Gary Wilmot join The Wind in the Willows at the London Palladium

Denise Welch and Gary Wilmot join the cast of The Wind in the Willows

Further casting has been announced for the West End production of The Wind in the Willows which will begin previews at the London Palladium ahead of schedule on 16 June 2017, with an official opening night on 29 June 2017.

Joining the previously announced Rufus Hound and Neil McDermott as Mr Toad and Chief Weasel will be Simon Lipkin as Rat, Craig Mather as Mole, Denise Welch as Mrs Otter and Gary Wilmot as Badger.

They are joined by a company that also includes Chris Aukett, Joel Baylis, Jenna Boyd, Abigail Brodie, Abigail Climer, Jorell Coiffic-Kamall, Nicole Deon, Emilie du Leslay, Joshua Gannon, James Gant, Evan James, Michael Larcombe, Bethany Linsdell, Ryan Pidgen, Adam Vaughan, Georgie Westall and Natalie Woods.

Based on Kenneth Grahame's treasured novel of the same name this new musical has been adapted for the stage by Academy Award-winning screenwriter and Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes alongside the Olivier Award-winning composer and lyricist duo George Stiles and Anthony Drewe.

"This riotous comedy follows the impulsive Mr Toad whose insatiable need for speed lands him in serious trouble. With his beloved home under threat from the notorious Chief Weasel and his gang of sinister Wild Wooders, Toad must attempt a daring escape leading to a series of misadventures and a heroic battle to recapture Toad Hall."

Produced by Jamie Hendry, MJE Productions and Josh Gilinski, in association with Theatre Royal Plymouth the production is directed by Rachel Kavanaugh with choreography by Aletta Collins, set and costume design by Peter McKintosh, lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Gareth Owen, wig and makeup design by Linda McKnight, orchestrations by Chris Jahnke and David Shrubsole and musical supervision by Simon Lee.

The Musical played a short UK tour in 2016 and comes to the London Palladium for a limited run this summer.

The Wind in the Willows tickets are on sale to 9 September 2017.