The Wind in the Willows
From the book by Kenneth Grahame.

“The Mole had been working very hard all morning, spring-cleaning his little home… There’s nothing, absolutely nothing, like messing around in boats…It’s never the wrong time to call on Toad. Early or late, he’s always the same fellow. Always good-tempered, always glad to see you, always sorry when you go!... Glorious, stirring sight! The poetry of motion! The only way to travel! O bliss! O poop-poop! O my!... Then the faces began. One, then another and another then yes!-no!-yes, hundreds of faces all hard eyed and evil and sharp…This is the place of my song-dream, the place the music played to me.”

These quotes from The Wind the Willows, written by Kenneth Grahame in 1909, provide ample evidence of why the book is such an enduring classic and why it has inspired so many young people to become writers and life-long readers.

Kids who see themselves as unpopular because they come from different places, because they are differently-abled (moles are visually impaired as was Grahame’s young son “Mouse”), or because they lack social skills will identify with this story of four outcasts (unwanted pests by most human standards) who become friends, rescue a baby otter, then outsmart and overcome bullies to establish peace and justice in a scary part of their world.

Teachers can discuss these themes in class after a performance. They can also use the show to inspire reading, exploring nature, animals, rivers, boats, early 1900’s music, design style and history - or they can just enjoy the show and enjoy watching their students’ laughs, thrills and rapt attention.

The design is inspired by water, and living near the river. The characters will be represented in many ways: by actors, as puppets, masks, stuffed toys, flat cut-outs on a screen, on film, or as shadows.

We like to show things in lots of different ways, with small telling details, and changes of perspective. We find that this encourages the audience to use their imagination; if they have to work a little to put images together, they become more involved. We'll have a combination of shadow puppetry, hand shadows, and video projections.

Music and sound effects are also key. Popular local musician Russell Levia will be playing old and new songs inspired by composers like Percy Grainger, Vaughan Williams and Gilbert and Sullivan.

The show will be available in the spring of 2010.