Around 300 people enjoy The Wind In The Willows by Illyria outdoor theatre at Logie Steading
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AROUND 300 people enjoyed two socially-distanced performances of The Wind in The Willows at Logie Steading on Saturday afternoon.
The production, by Kenneth Grahame, adapted by Oliver Gray and produced by Illyria outdoor theatre company, featured three actors playing all of the parts and was the only event the hosts had planned since March to go ahead because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Logie Steading owner Panny Laing thought the play was "true Illyria: absolutely brilliant."
She said: "I was pleasantly surprised to see so many older people attend as well as families - we got plenty of support from our regulars. We asked everyone to sit in their bubbles and gave them two metre long bamboo canes to make sure of the distancing.
"Before the pandemic we planned to have three outdoor plays this summer. Unfortunately they had to be cancelled. However, Illyria got in touch when the restrictions were eased and offered to put this one on so we said: yes please!"
The tale of Mole, Rat and Badger trying to evict squatters from Toad's ancestral home in the country has been appreciated by generations since it was first published in 1908.
And award-winners Illyria have been delighting audiences with their outdoor theatre in the UK, Europe, the United States and Canada since 1991.
Sisters Leia and Amelie Di Sotto from Forres jumped at the chance to see Wind In The Willows, having seen Illyria's version of The Hound of the Baskervilles at Elgin Cathedral last summer.
Forres Academy student, Leia (14), said: "It was adapted for a modern audience. The actors were good at getting the audience involved and the outdoor setting was perfect. I would recommend Illyria's plays to anyone interested in theatre."
Anderson's Primary School pupil, Amelie (9), added: "It was really funny. The best bit was when the Prime Minister and his assistant came on as the bad guys. I also really liked seeing Toad in his motor car."
Logie Steading had also planned to hold their traditional Christmas market in a few months time.
"Unfortunately we've had to cancel," said Mrs Laing. "We do our best to keep visits to Logie Steading as stress free as we can and we are fortunate we have the space to make people feel comfortable here.
"The Olive Tree Cafe has been most impacted by the pandemic - it's been very difficult for them. However, we appreciate that we've had great support from people shopping for wonderful local produce."
