A brand new family musical is coming to the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch from Wednesday, May 22, to Sunday, May 26. The classic story of The Wind in the Willows is brought leaping into the 21st century by Metta Theatre and Exeter Northcott Theatre.

In The Willows stars the Olivier Award-winning star of Tracy Beaker Clive Rowe as Mr Badger, deaf street dancer Chris Fonseca as Otter, Seann Miley Moore as Duck, Abiola Efunshile as Owl, Harry Jardine as Toad, Zara Macintosh as Rattie, Bradley Charles as Chief Weasel, with Katherine Picar and Treasure Lyamu as the Rabbits.

We sat down with Chris Fonseca to discuss the upcoming show.

Tell us about In The Willows.

In The Willows is a vibrant re-telling of the classic story Wind In The Willows, brought into the 21st century with fabulous vocals, beats and backflips. I play Otter, who is an excellent street dancer! Otter and his girlfriend Rattie help new girl Mole learn the ways of the Riverbank. Otter is a great influence who likes to look after his friends. He’s also deaf and proud to be!

How have you found the rehearsal process?

What an experience it’s been. It’s a steep learning curve for me and my debut in musical theatre, especially having to learn scripts line by line, act, sing and dance with the lovely Willows squad!

You’ve just spent several weeks featuring in BBC One’s The Greatest Dancer. How did you find the experience?

It was a once in a lifetime opportunity for me: a moment where I can give my all, to show what I can do to represent for myself, the deaf dance community and deaf community, whilst on a popular TV platform.

The support I’ve received is overwhelming, and beyond amazing. Unfortunately, I’m gutted to say that I didn’t make the callback but I’ll keep going, keep moving forward and continue dancing, because breaking barriers is part of my DNA.

Can you tell us a little about your process as a deaf dancer?

Every person’s deafness levels are varied, and they have a different way of accessing music. For me, I wear a cochlear implant on my left ear and as soon the music plays, the sound and the beats spread the rhythm around my body, so I can feel the beat.

When I receive the rhythm, it goes to my brain which works out the structure of beats and understand how the music plays before making any movements. To get into character, it requires a lot of patience, reading and studying how the beats work lyrically before choreographing.

I often use a subpak when choreographing to a song, to help me find the hidden beats and to emphasise how choreography works, both lyrically and with the beats together.

What it is like to work in a show where British Sign Language is incorporated into the choreography?

The big challenge is being a deaf dancer amongst a hearing company. However, it’s been fantastic to watch how fast the rest of the cast have picked up BSL, and learnt to incorporate it into the dances. It’s also been a challenge highlighting deaf awareness and showing that British Sign Language is not only for communication, but it can also apply to the arts in a creative way.

What can audiences expect from In The Willows?

An amazing show with diversity and inclusion, a beautiful design, awesome choreography and a great children’s story - a modern, urban version of The Wind in the Willows.

Queen’s Theatre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT, Wednesday, May 22, to Sunday, May 26, various times. Details: 01708 443333 queens-theatre.co.uk