The Wind in the Willows

Editorial

When: 5-29 Jan 2011, Tuesday-Saturday 11am and 6pm (no shows on 26 January)
Where: Royal Botanic Gardens, Birdwood Avenue South Yarra
Tickets: $25
Bookings: Ticketmaster 1300 122 344

If you go into the Royal Botanic Gardens over summer, you're likely to stumble across a strange selection of animals causing all sorts of chaos. Yes, that's right, once again, the lovable Rat, Mole, Badger and Mr Toad return in the Australian Shakespeare Company's outdoor production of The Wind in the Willows in the Royal Botanic Gardens.

For years now, families have enjoyed the antics of Kenneth Grahame's classic children's story, first published in 1908 and adapted by Glenn Elston for performance in the Gardens. Chief Head Rabbit transforms the audience into rabbits themselves, and leads them around the Gardens to search for the missing Portly, last seen heading into the Wild Woods. Along the way, they meet Mole, Rat and Badger, and the famous and outrageous Mr Toad. And naturally, there's lots of singing, dancing and fun involved along the way.

Pack a picnic and a rug, arm yourself with insect repellent, sunscreen and a hat, and head into the Gardens for two daily shows, 11am and 6pm, Tuesdays to Saturdays. Enter through the Gate F on Birdwood Avenue, just past the National Herbarium, and for that last-minute weather check, call 1300 122 344. Tickets can be pre-booked, or bought at the cash-only box office up to an hour before start time.

For more information, visit the Australian Shakespeare Company website.

Tim Hunter, Citysearch