Donald Teuma-Castelletti
BRISTOL Dec. 9, 2018
Two local churches, Pontiac High School and Valley Heritage Radio were recently infested with all manner of rodent and one amphibian with a penchant for dangerous driving, as the Pontiac Community Players (PCP) performed their Christmas radio play last week.
Celebrating community and the importance of friendship, the PCP’s performance of the English literature classic The Wind in the Willows had audiences cheering, laughing and clapping all the way through, as local actors portrayed the timeless characters onstage.
The plot follows the adventures of Rat, Mole and Mr. Toad as they go about life on the riverbank. While Rat and Mole are near inseparable, seeking out excitement in their everyday lives, they get more than they bargain for when they begin to hang out with Mr. Toad, a wealthy, thrill-seeking character always looking for more.

Their adventures sees them cross paths with a motor car, which Mr. Toad becomes completely infatuated with, and soon purchases one for himself. But his ambition to drive far outweighs his driving skills, and the multiple cars he proceeds to purchase end up causing more and more trouble in his community.
As the events unfold – including Mr. Toad twice resorting to grand theft auto, as well as a prison break and plenty of deception – the characters learn the true value of friendship, their community, and the peaceful life offered right on the riverbank.
Director Greg Graham said he was immensely proud to bring this classic to Pontiac audiences, boasting of the work done – all by locals – to make it possible for all to enjoy.
“It’s a completely original [adaptation], made by people in the Pontiac. A new adaptation, written by myself, all original music by Matt Lottes … and an all local cast,” said Graham. “Everybody’s worked together to do the recorded sound effects, the live sound effects, the costumes, the make-up, everything.”
While Graham began adapting the script last February, the original music came together in September through the talent of Matt Lottes. From there, 16 actors filled the various roles and another seven crew members rounded out their numbers, to help the animals’ stories come to life, just in time for the holidays season.
“It takes place over a whole four-month period during all seasons of the riverbank, but it’s a classic of English literature and has a great Christmas scene right in the middle of it,” said Graham. “It’s a story about friendship, love, community and all those wonderful things we celebrate at Christmas.”
Though this production is put on as a radio play – allowing the actors to stand in place and read directly from their script – that doesn’t mean the cast and crew have a necessarily easier time up there.
Rev. Tim Perry, who portrayed Mr. Toad to much laughter and joy in the Sunday night’s audience, said there’s surprisingly a lot more to consider because of this portrayal.
“Radio plays are surprisingly a lot of work because so much is channelled into the voice,” said Perry. “We have minimal props and some costumes to give a little more life to it, but still a lot of it is done through inflection. That means you have to be that much more deliberate, I think, there’s very little to cover for any goofs.”
By no means an experienced actor, Rev. Perry had a simple reason for continuing to work with the PCP after performing in 2017’s radio play, too.
“Well, it’s fun,” said Rev. Perry. “We did It’s a Wonderful Life last year and I really liked being the bad guy … and I really like being Toad. He’s easy because he’s such a blowhard, so it’s easy to kind of, be large.”
The PCP’s performance of The Wind in the Willows was performed live at Pontiac High School last week for the students, before filling the Shawville United Church on Saturday and St. Andrew’s Knox United Church on Sunday, the latter of which saw 90 people in attendance. Those that missed out on the show have one final chance to take it in, in possibly it’s truest form, as Valley Heritage Radio will be airing a pre-recorded performance on Christmas Eve.
Coming up in January, folks looking to add to the Pontiac drama scene or lend a hand as a crew member will have a chance when the PCP hold an open meeting to discuss potential upcoming productions. Graham said the group is always looking for the help of more volunteers, from physical roles through to creative, and will announce a formal date in the weeks to come.
“We’re just here to encourage drama, we’re not here to run the show,” said Graham. “We’re just here to see what people want to do.”