"
There is NOTHING - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats". So says the Water Rat in Kenneth Grahame's children's classic,
The Wind in the Willows. While I agree with the general sentiment, I think there's something equally worth doing, especially if you have children - getting along to the Melbourne or Sydney Botanic Gardens for the
Australian Shakespeare Company's The Wind in the Willows, celebrating its 25th anniversary this summer.
Image courtesy Australian Shakespeare Company and AB Publicity
The Wind in The Willows is a rollicking and yet gentle adventure of life on the riverbank, starring the pompous, arrogant, vain, hilarious Toad - a favourite with children everywhere. Toad, along with his much better-behaved friends, the Water Rat, Mole and Badger, as well as the rascally Weasels, have come to life every summer for the past 24 years in the beautiful surrounds of the Melbourne Botanic Gardens.
Image courtesy Australian Shakespeare Company and AB Publicity
The critically acclaimed children's theatre production delivers music, songs, laughs and lots of audience participation, and it's not just for the kids. You're encouraged to pack a picnic hamper, blanket and cushions, as well as your sense of childhood wonder for the one and a half hour performance. And you won't just be in one place - to follow the story you must follow the characters on a short walk at one point in the production.
Melbourne
Venue: Melbourne Botanic Gardens (Gate F, Birdwood Avenue)
Dates: 29 December 2011 to 28 January 2012.
Days: Tuesdays to Saturdays.
Times: 11am and 6pm.
Cost: $25 single ticket (adults or children) or $90 family ticket (admits 4 people). Children under 12 months are admitted Free.
Tickets: Through the
Australian Shakespeare Company here or phone 1300 122 344. Also available through
Ticketmaster here.
Sydney
Venue: Sydney Botanic Gardens (Harbour side of the Main Pond).
Dates: 6 to 28 January 2012.
Days: Tuesdays to Saturdays.
Times: 11am and 6pm.
Cost: $25 single ticket (adults or children) or $90 family ticket (admits 4 people). Children under 12 months are admitted Free.
Tickets: Through the
Australian Shakespeare Company here or phone 1300 122 344. Also available through
Ticketek here.
Win a Free Family Pass
The Australian Shakespeare Company has kindly offered Weekend Notes readers two free Family Passes ($90 value each) - one each for the Melbourne and Sydney productions. All you have to do is tell us why YOUR family deserves the tickets and the most creative answers will win. Send an email with your answer to
willows@weekendnotes.com with Sydney or Melbourne in the subject line. Competition closes midnight Tuesday 13 December 2011. We'll email the lucky winner, who'll then have bragging rights amongst their friends. If you'd like to emulate Toad it could go something like this:
"
The world has held great Heroes,
As history books have showed;
But never a name to go down to fame
Compared with that of Toad!"
