Words from Ian McKellen

"I was disappointed not to be playing Mole or Water Rat, which went to more experienced actors who were also favourites with the Belgrade audiences. I was contracted to 'play as cast' and don't remember being confident enough to ever complain. I was still ecstatic to be earning my living as a professional.

As Chief Weasel (my first stage villain) the national newspaper, The Guardian, reported that mine was one of 'the most engaged performances' and the Coventry Evening Telegraph that I was 'a perfectly hateful Weasel' — Kind Critics!"