The beautiful outdoor setting of Rutland Open Air Theatre at Tolethorpe Hall, near Stamford, was the perfect venue for this adaptation of Kenneth Grahame's classic children's tale, which was first published in 1908.

I felt like a child again as the enchanting story of riverbank friends Ratty, Mole, Badger and my favourite Mr Toad, of Toad Hall, unfolded before my eyes.

Every attention to detail was paid right from the beautiful costumes to a little stream created at the front of the stage where Ratty and Mole take a boat trip to the shiny red motor car which leads to Toad's downfall when he can't resist taking it for a spin without permission.

The casting was also perfection. Jonathan Marcus was excellent as the sensible, poetry loving Ratty, John Saunders captured Mole's qualities and characteristics spot on while Nick Hallam was ideally cast as wise old Badger.

But for me Terry Kenny stole the show as the boisterous, boastful Mr Toad, around whom the story is set.

His childlike, whimsical nature leads him into strife and eventually behind bars before he concocts a clever plan to escape and return to his beloved Toad Hall, which in his absence has been overrun by a gang of stoats and weasels from the Wild Wood.

This adaptation penned by playwrite Alan Bennett appeals equally to old and young alike and is a wonderful way to while away a couple of hours.

The Wind in the Willows is appearing at Tolethorpe for four weeks during June and July along with performances of Romeo and Juliet and Richard III.

For more information call 01780 756133 or visit www.stamfordshakespeare.co.uk