For the past few years, every January we have taken the boys to see the brilliant
Australian Shakespeare Company's production of the Wind in the Willows. Performed in the Botanic Gardens, located on Sydney's spectacular harbour, it is a truly magical evening. Although it is possible to attend a daytime performance, I have found attending the evening show the most fun. It is a lovely opportunity to sit on the grass and have a picnic dinner with the kids before the show actually starts and the
Botanic Gardens are stunning, with bamboo groves, ponds and sweeping lawns by the harbour for the kids to explore. Then as the glare of the sun fades and the sea-breeze picks up, you can relax on the picnic blanket with a glass of wine, as the kids watch the entire show in wide-eyed enchantment!
The boys simply adore it as audience participation is encouraged and the location outdoors is well utilised. About halfway through the performance the entire show moves from the Main Pond to a nearby location (about 150 metres away) which is the site for Toad Hall. From here Ratty and Mole then take the older children to the Wild Wood to search for Portly. This year for the first time Nicholas raced off with all the other kids to join in the hunt!
Allowing the children to participate and have a run around during the preformance ensures that they stay focused on the production and thoroughly enjoy it.
Anyone unfamiliar with the Wind in the Willows, I highly recommend the book. Written by Kenneth Grahame for his son, it is an unforgettable tale of adventure and friendship and most certainly a childhood classic! Reading it aloud to Nicholas recently I have found it as enchanting as I did as a child.
