Alan Bennett's adaptation of The Wind In The Willows makes the most of the heartwarming, very English idyll at the centre of Kenneth Grahame's novel, but throws in some unintrusive contemporary references (when the weasels take over Toad Hall, their first instinct is to redevelop the ancient pile into a marina and leisure centre).

The Stamford Shakespeare Company cast had fun with Bennett's sharp lines, and the enormous effort the group puts in over the course of the year was rewarded with a smooth, slick production that once again belied the company's amateur roots.

John Saunders' humble Mole was eerily reminiscent of Alan Bennett himself, forming a counterpoint to Jonathan Marcus' dynamic and charismatic Ratty. Kenneth Grahame's most memorable character, however, is Toad of Toad Hall, who was played with flamboyance and camp flair by Terry Kenny, who followed up another strong performance in last year's The Importance of Being Earnest.

The Wind In The Willows is as much a story of the interfering, trespassing denizens of the Wild Wood as it is about the principal characters; this production put the weasels, stoats and ferrets (played by Tolethorpe's youth theatre) to good use, with Will Kisby and James Kenny's double act of Chief Weasel and Weasel Norman bringing a greasy, spiv-like villainy to the show.

Even younger cast members were adorable as the field mice and rabbits that inhabit the riverbank.

The only shame is that Bennett's adaptation is a little long – Toad's pursuit by the forces of the law was rather too long and convoluted, and rather diluted what was otherwise a well- paced production.

This aside, The Wind In The Willows is sure to be a great success, with Tolethorpe's outdoor theatre standing in wonderfully for Grahame's river-bank.

The play runs until Saturday, June14; Monday, June 23 until Saturday, June 28; July 14 until Saturday, July 19; Monday, July 28 until Saturday, August 2.

Tickets, priced between £5 and £16 are available by calling 01780 756133.

All performances start at 8pm, with matinées of on Saturday, July 19 and Saturday, August 2. More online: www.stamfordshakespeare.co.uk.

Read our preview of the Stamford Shakespeare Festival for 2008.