The Wind in the Willows

The Wind in the Willows has returned for the summer, currently in its 37^th year, staged in the splendidly scenic Royal Botanical Gardens, Melbourne. A delightful and entertaining family show, affordable and interactive, this uniquely Australian twist on the classic children’s book by Kenneth Grahame, first published in 1908, has its audiences, young and old, amused, delighted and in rollicking fits of laughter.

Ducks casually meander with the picnicking crowd, the show has yet to begin. The first act is set on the bank of the picturesque lake overlooking the lush and colourful gardens. Head Chief Rabbit (Callum O’Malley) with guitar strapped to his back, settles the busy audience by announcing house duties - that we are to be his loyal rabbits. Flopping his ears and twitching his nose, he plays and sings a cheerful ditty, inviting the enthused younger audience to move closer to the front. The rascal Weasel (Paul Morris) pops up - despite their unlikely friendship, they provide snappy and colourful banter, warming up the audience for a joyful and jubilant ride of entertainment.

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Director Glen Elston has conjured up a captivating musical and lyrical interpretation with refreshing eyes for his all-age audience. The Wind in the Willows is traditionally a narrated story about a rich unruly toad who lives in a manor, set in a English landscape - a tale that illustrates the struggle between tradition and change during the Edwardian era, when the invention of motor vehicles was a sign of the modern times ahead. Elston cast a vivacious motley crew of actors, fulfilling his vision whilst staying loosely within the boundaries of the original story. It offers a fresh and impro-by–nature method, where song and dance are intrinsically choreographed into the story making it an entertaining musical-comedy event.

The entire cast offer wonderful quirky and idiosyncratic characterisations that include the shy, demure yet razzy mole (Christina Wells); Badger (Maverick Newman), the admirable creaky old eccentric gentleman; Ratty (Jono Freeman), the impressive jovial neurotic and as for Mr Toad (Hamish Johnston) - he  is simply exquisite as a flamboyant bon vivant.

There is a bush band impro ensemble that is so-very-wacky; Mole is a real treat with her “Go Moley Go’ dance routine, while Badger rocks “bad” as front man in his “Back in Black” AC/DC cover. Rabbit, Badger, and Weasel go hard in Rap and Hip Hop. While Toad does the tango with the Policeman (Luke Lennox), before heading off to jail.

The second half of the show is set away from the lake, up on the hill opposite Toad Manor. Otter (Benjamin Caley) has lost his son Popper (Daniel Lim), and the rabbits (audience) are required to make decisions as to whether they stay back as the Rabbit Response Team and or head off as part of the Badger and Ratty search parties. Weasel and his crew have taken over Toad Manor and hereafter all hell breaks loose with loads of mayhem and preposterous fun.

Hats off to the entire Wind in the Willows team for continuing to offer a wonderful show for all of us to enjoy as part of the fun and games this summer in the gardens.

Flora Georgiou

Photographer: Ben Fon