Spring Brings Out The Best In The Willows

Newcastle Herald

Monday October 6, 2008

REVIEW Ken Longworth

THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS

Presented by: Shakespeare et al

Venue: Hunter Wetlands Centre, Shortland (phone 4951 6466)

Season: Daily at 10am, until Saturday

THE Wind in the Willows opens with Mole putting aside spring-cleaning in his burrow home to go outside and enjoy the sunshine on the river bank.

It is an apt beginning, because that is what the audience gets to do as it follows the characters of Kenneth Grahame's tale around the large main pond of the Hunter Wetlands Centre.

The actors might have to compete at times with the calls of ducks and ignore low-flying birds, but that adds to the magic of the show.

This is the fourth year that adapter, director and narrator Anne Frost and her actors have staged The Wind in the Willows at the Wetlands and there could be no more enchanting way of celebrating the coming of spring.

Alison Cox as the energetic Ratty has joined the three actors who have been with the production since its beginning Jan Hunt as shy Mole, Kerry O'Hearn as wise Badger, and Karen Lantry as speed-crazy Toad and the quartet work superbly together.

Lantry has certainly lost none of her energy, as mischievous Toad develops a love affair with motor cars, ends up in court and jail, then escapes to be part of a well-simulated locomotive chase as the police try to recapture the arrogant but lovable character.

Willows runs for just over an hour, with half the show performed in shady spots and the rest in open spaces with limited shade.

You will enjoy it more if you protect your face and arms and those of accompanying children from the spring sun.

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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