Scripts for Supper returns this Spring & Summer with an adaptation of Wind in the Willows along with delicious feast by Juanita Hennessey who was a MasterChef finalist back in 2016.
I and Steve we were invited down on a complimentary basis to take a journey with Toad, Ratty, Mole and Badger whilst indulging in a 5 course feast, thankfully there was no onion soup but pea soup instead.
Scripts for Supper
Scripts for Supper creates brand new adaptations of classic stories and serves them alongside a bespoke menu inspired by the world of the play.
Annie McKenzie has been creating alongside Jessica McVay divine immersive dinners since 2017. Since then they have now grown to become a 5 star sell out immersive dining experience.
Their experiences fuse together theatre, food, music, song and dance, and take diners on a culinary and theatrical story telling journey.
Food is the ultimate sensory experience. It provides diners with an endless array of smells, tastes, textures, and sounds and if good theatre is food for the soul, then Scripts for Supper will leave both soul and tummy very well fed!
Who is Annie McKenzie?
Annie McKenzie is the Artistic Director of Scripts for Supper. Actor, writer, director and chef. Annie appeared as a contestant on BBC’s MasterChef back in 2016. Annie created Scripts for Supper as she is passionate about creating devised, collaborative and organic work, and retelling classic stories in an original and dynamic way. Past adaptations by Scripts for Supper include Twelfth Night, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Wind in the Willows and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
Who is Jessica McVay?
Jessica Rose McVay is a director, movement director, producer, and founder of Jessica Rose McVay Productions Ltd. She is a graduate of UCLA’s School of Theatre Film and Television and of Bristol Old Vic Theatre School where she earned her MA in Drama Directing and won the Elsa Roberts Directing Award for her production of Sarah Kane’s Crave.
Within the United States Jessica has worked on Broadway, Guthrie Theatre, Victory Gardens Theatre, Jungle Theatre, Children’s Theatre Company, Ars Nova, Balcony Theatre, and Open Eye Figure Theatre. Within the UK she has worked at the Bristol Old Vic, Redgrave Theatre, Wardrobe Theatre, Vaults Festival, Canal Café and White Bear Theatre.
She is an Associate Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society in the U.S., and a Member of Stage Directors UK.
Scripts for Supper presents The Wind in the Willows
Wind in the Willows what is it?
Wind in the Willows started out as a children’s novel written by British novelist Kenneth Grahame which was published in 1908. Wind in the Willows focuses on four anthropomorphised animals of a Mole, Rat, Toad, and a Badger who live in Edwardian England. The novel is a mixture of mysticism, adventure, morality and camaraderie and celebrated for its evocation of the nature of the Thames Valley.
A. A. Milne adapted a new version of Wind in the Willows which she named Toad of Toad Hall back in 1929. In 1949 the first film adaptation was released by Disney.
In 2016 Kenneth Grahame version of Wind in the Willows was adapted into a musical version by Julian Fellowes, which included with music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. The musical received it’s world premiere at the Theatre Royal in Plymouth in October 2016, before transferring to The Lowry in Salford and the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton. The following year it came to the London Palladium, where it was also filmed for cinema broadcast.
Scripts for Supper presents The Wind in the Willows
This Spring and Summer you can join in along with the fun at one of the many renowned inner-city farms where Scripts for Supper will be bringing their take on The Wind in the Willows to life.
Join in the fun and revival in their rip-roaring riverside romp as you are taken on a story telling immersive adventure with Mole, Ratty, Toad and Badger.
Food and theatre collide as one at Scripts for Supper, where the actors double up as waiters and the food brings you into the world of the play.
Open the door and enter a new world.
Critics say Scripts for Supper is “phenomenal” (London Theatre 1), “truly magical” (Western Morning News) and I “You’d be mad to miss it!” (Love Pop Ups London).
A journey with Mole, Ratty, Toad and Badger
Upon arriving at Spitafields City Farm me and Steve and our friends we were greeted by Mole (played by Coco Maertens) and Ratty (played by Paul Brayward) who presented us with the menu for the night.
Upon being shown the marquee in where we will be dining for the evening Ratty and Mole led us through the farm showing us pig sty to the flower beds of where vegetables where growing. It felt like we were stepping into a world of where animals collide.
After having a look around and admiring all the lovely fresh vegetables which are grown within the flower beds plus a old children bed frame and listening to a sound mix of insects within the farms insect hut we grabbed a welcome drink from the pop up bar area which Badger (played by Matthew Emeny) gave us.
We briefly met Annie and we learnt that semi-finalist Juanita Hennessey from MasterChef was the lead chef and the inspiration for the Wind in the Willows menu for this Scripts for Supper production. As with any MasterChef contestant I expected the food to be of very high standard which it was. Every single dish was beautifully presented, exquisitely cooked and perfectly portioned.
Ratty then came along and gave us a delicious Bubble & squeak pasty with green sauce to munch on.
The pasties were divine full of vegetables and the lemony green sauce was a hit making me want to keep on dipping my pasty within it.
Afterwards we all scurried to one of the beautifully decorated tables to enjoy a theatrical performance of acting, dance, music and song all whilst being fed a feast cooked by a MasterChef.
Then the story telling begun by narrator & musician Elizabeth Schenk.
It all starts with Mole trying to burrow out of her home after hibernating for so long.
Along her adventure out and about she encounters Ratty and falls in love with him. Ratty eventually introduces her to his friends Toad (played by Sian Keen) and Badger.
During our first interval and for our first course we were presented with a watercress & pea soup, asparagus & chives.
This soup was deliciously creamy and full of flavour of peas, watercress, chives and asparagus so refreshing. Plus all the vegetables used was from the farm.
Ratty, Mole and Toad take decide to take the open road and taken an adventure in a horse drawn caravan. Seasons change, flowers fall, leaves land everywhere and eventually a snow blizzard hits. We all had to create the snow by ripping up white paper napkins and throwing it at Toad and gang. Mole could not resist in being a snow angel.
After all the chaos of the storm we were served our next second main course of Spring lamb, houmous & herbs on toast.
The Spring lamb was succulent and served on creamy houmous and herbs on a piece of bread. I loved it however I would of preferred the bread toasted.
With the snow blizzard destroying the caravan with the horse running off eventually there was a throom noise and then a poop poop by Toad as he was now hooked on the thought of owning a racing car down the open road. Toad manages to get a fast car and eventually he was zooming the down the road through the country but did not last long.
As poor Toad is eventually captured by the law and thrown into jail for speeding.
However a cleaner woman who worked in the jail helped rescue Toad by giving her a cunning break out plan.
Whilst Toad was hatching on with her great escape the third course came out which was a bacon hock & leek crumble, caraway potatoes & radish salad.
The ham hock had a great smoky ham taste with the meat flaking apart and the crunchiness of the crumble top gave it that added extra texture. The vinegary radish salad cut the smokiness of the ham at times and the potatoes were cooked to perfection, soft and creamy.
Eventually Toad whilst on the run bumps into his good friends Ratty, Mole and Badger and they inform her of how weasels have taken over Toad Hall and so they all hatch a plan together to fight of the nasty weasels.
Finally my favourite meal time moment dessert which was guava & fizz posset, meringues kisses & butter biscuits.
It was a real sweet delight. The posset was creamy and sharp in taste giving my taste buds many kisses and the biscuits was a buttery delight.
Taking on the weasels with swords and guns Toad and his friends save Toad Hall and all is well and Toad conviction is even removed.
What a perfect end to a perfect night.
Before leaving the actors took a bow and all the chefs and producers made an appearance.
It was then off to the open road with a toot toot I was on a train heading back home.
Verdict
Scripts for Supper actors gave a ribbiting performance and the food was exceptional.
I loved how the tables were decorated beautifully and donned with crockery by The Vintage Tea Set company.
The whole story of Wind in the Willows was acted and sung out by just five actors which were dressed in lovely costumes designed by Rachel Twyford so it was easy to tell who was playing what animal on the night.
With how the play was played out I loved the way that the story of the Wind in the Willows was told by a narrator as well as by Toad, Mole, Ratty and Badger themselves. The whole play is split into scenes between courses with acting, singing, dancing and impressiveness.
After each scene had ended, the dishes are brought out almost immediately which is a rarity for any type of immersive show. I am amazed how the whole story was told entirely in five short acts which bought diners fun and laughter from their very engaging and heartfelt performances.
If you are looking for a fun immersive theatre show and food served by a MasterChef contestant then I highly recommend Scripts for Supper as it is certainly different and quirky.
Read my first ever experience with Scripts for Supper when I attended their production on Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
Take to the open road and book
Since writing this there are two final shows
29 and 30 June at Mudchute City Farm on Saturday and Sunday starting at 4:30om.
Prices:
£45 ticket includes a welcome cocktail and canapé, 4 course feast and the show.
£30 children’s ticket (age 6+) includes speciality children’s feast, and the show. Must be purchased with an adult ticket.
£135 ticket includes all of the above for up to a family of 2 adults and 2 children (age 6+).
£400 group ticket includes 10 places.
NOTE: The whole event is two and a half hours long (with breaks).
Book via going to https://www.scriptsforsupper.co.uk/buy-tickets.
Thank you to Annie of Scripts for Supper for the invite. All views are my own honest opinion.
Click below to get links to other Love Pop Ups London community members write ups who went along on different dates to enjoy the story of Wind in the Willows. All their write ups are of their own honest opinions.
“I love going out discovering new and existing restaurants, theatres, immersive experiences and so much more but I also love staying in and discovering new gadgets, gaming and cooking.
