Further casting announced for The Wind in the Willows at the London Palladium

Neil McDermott joins Rufus Hound

Further casting has been announced for the upcoming West End engagement of the new musical adaptation of The Wind in the Willows by Julian Fellowes, George Stiles and Anthony Drewe which runs at the London Palladium from 17 June 2017, with an official opening on 29 June.

Joining the previously announced Rufus Hound who will reprise his role as Mr Toad from the world premiere production in 2016 will be Neil McDermott as Chief Weasel, Jenna Boyd, Abigail Brodie, Jorell Coiffic-Kamall, Nicole Deon, James Gant, Evan James, Michael Larcombe, Bethany Linsdell, Ryan Pidgen, Adam Vaughan and Georgie Westall, with further casting to be announced.

The West End production launched at the London Palladium on 26 February where Hound performed numbers from the show to an assembled crowd who heard more about the production from producer Jamie Hendry, book writer Julian Fellowes and director Rachel Kavanaugh.

Based on Kenneth Grahame's novel of the same name, The Wind in the Willows has been adapted for the stage by Academy Award-winning screenwriter and Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes and features a score by the Olivier Award-winning team of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. The production originally opened in Plymouth last year, touring to Southampton and Manchester.

"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, this new British musical is directed by Rachel Kavanaugh with choreography by Aletta Collins, design by Peter McKintosh, lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Gareth Owen, wig & makeup design by Linda McKnight, orchestrations by Chris Jahnke and David Shrubsole and musical supervision by Simon Lee.

The Wind in the Willows tickets are now on sale.