In my defense Iβve never seen the uncut version of the BBC version. It aired in the USA on PBS as part of βMasterpieceβ and they cut about 10-15 minutes to make it it fit a 80 minute time slot (even though back in those days it was supposed to be 90 minutes). So they cut both Xmas at Moleβs End and the Piper. Also Matt Lucas has to be the most unsympathetic and obnoxious Mr. Toad thereβs ever been.
Oh, honestly, don't worry about it. I also find Matt Lucas's Toad portrayal... eh. A bit grating, to put it kindly?
But, tbf, Toad has rarely ever been a character I've connected with much - even in the versions I do like. So I rarely take into consideration Toad's character when deciding if I like an adaptation.
There are, however, two exceptions to that rule, which - tragically - were shows with limited runs. One was from a tour company that did a comedic (more than usual, anyway) spin on WitW, and Toad was played by a woman, and she just had a lot of fun energy for the role.
The other was an am-dram version of the 2017 musical, down in Basingstoke, and their Toad was fantastic. (Their whole cast was, plus they gave Lesser more of a character arc.)
Anyway. I was talking about Toad - their Toad (and their Rat/Mole) was younger, probably early/mid twenties? And, suddenly, this rash, idiotic rich guy with no parents to stop him suddenly makes so much more sense. Dude should not be given his own credit card yet, yet alone a whole inheritance. Plus he was unabashedly flamboyant and just... so much fun to watch? Like, I actually properly rooted for Toad for the first time in that show.
Anyway, yeah. I think more versions should mix up their Toad character, make him younger or a woman more often. (And if they do make him a woman, let her still disguise herself as a washerwoman! Make the joke solidly about a) Toad having to pretend to be a Common Person with Skills she definitely doesn't possess and b) Toad pretending to be a human, full stop.)
Sorry, I got a lil distracted there. I just have Many Thoughts.
