Just A Quickie with... Oddsocks Productions' co-founder, producer and actress Elli Mackenzie, who will play Mole in Wind In The Willows in York next month.

ODDSOCKS Production go wild in the country this winter with a new touring adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s Wind in the Willows.

Live music, fast-moving action and physical comedy will be brought to a Grahame's story of boats, trains and washerwomen that will feature a cast of Elli Mackenzie as Mole, Joseph Maudsley as Ratty, Andrew McGillan as Toad, Dom Gee-Burch as Badger and Rosamund Hine as Otter at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York, on January 10.

For their latest comic adventure, Oddsocks invite you to join Mole, Ratty, Badger and the boisterous, bumptious, loud and lovable Toad as the adventure of a lifetime unravels on the riverbank.

Elli guides Charles Hutchinson through the willows.

What is the history of Oddsocks, Elli?

"My husband, Andy Barrow, and I set up Oddsocks 25 years ago. We create theatrical experiences that are for everyone; theatre that’s bold, challenging, innovative and interactive. There’s no elitism about theatre with us, just a good night out."

Why have Oddsocks decided to stage Wind In The Willows?

"It’s a favourite story from childhood for a lot of families. It’s got such vibrant lovely characters and it’s an exciting story full of adventure and travels."

How do you approach turning a novel into a modern production?

"We look at the structure of the novel and decide the main components and what the message is. We aim to keep as much of the plot, the characterisation, the messages and the themes intact."

What are you most enjoying on this tour?

"Being back on stage because it’s been two years since I’ve performed and that’s what I trained to do."

You are a producer as well as an actor? How do those roles interlink?

"When I’m producing and I’m not in the play, I enjoy helping actors to fine-tune their performance. When I’m an actor, it’s great because the cast have someone on tour who knows the ins and outs of all the bookings."

Oddsocks celebrated their 25th anniversary this year. As an unsubsidised, self-funded company, how have you survived so long?

"It’s purely the commitment, overtime and investment that myself and Andy have put into the company, and many people who have provided their time, sweat and energy above and beyond the call of duty.

"Versatility plays a big part too: Andy can act but also knows how to design a set, construct a set, adapt a script. I know I can write a really good business email, negotiate a great deal, and I can also get on stage in a ridiculous outfit and make people laugh."

What can the York audience expect to see in Oddsocks'Wind In The Willows?

"Lots of big characters, tons of action, live music, being transported to a riverbank in the 1920s and coming away feeling happier than when they came in."

Oddsocks' Wind In The Willows plays at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York, on January 10, 7.30pm. Box office: oddsocks.co.uk or 01332 258328