IT'S a complete charmer.

Kenneth Grahame’s beloved tale of riverside life, previously a novel, film, TV show and animation, has been brought to the stage before, but never as a musical and never in such a blaze of glory.

The 1908 book based on the adventures of Toad, Ratty and Mole has been transformed into a big budget musical with an indulgently large energetic cast.

The eye popping staging is an utter triumph. Everything from Badger’s beautiful circular bookcase to lavish Toad Hall is lovingly created with exact attention to every detail. That’s not to mention a life-size train, a barge, Romany caravan, courtroom and prison cell, all delightfully designed.

The enchanting costumes are also brilliantly conceived. In an inspired move, the villains of the piece, the stoats and weasels, are dressed as mobsters and spivs, while the otters are bathers from a bygone era.

Mr Toad oozes bling in green and gold glitter, the foxes don red jackets as huntsmen, there’s air hostess swallows and, my personal favourite, Brummie Boy Scout hedgehogs.

The regional accents are wonderful, I would fully expect Badger to be horrified at the football result.

That’s just one element of a show which is quintessentially British and a lovely trip down memory lane.

The audience, including one Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, enjoyed scenes of picnics in the countryside and messing about on the river.

The creative team, led by Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes and including celebrated composer and lyricist George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, are as British as they come and have weaved the magic that worked so well on Mary Poppins once again.

Rufus Hound is a fabulously outlandish Mr Toad and the other leads are perfectly cast, particularly Sophia Nomvete as a larger than life Mrs Otter, in a rare change from the book.

I anticipate The Wind in the Willows will be a huge West End hit when it opens at the London Palladium in June following this world premiere tour, which visits just three venues.

See it here first. Poop poop!

The Wind in the Willows runs until Sunday November 20.