Melbourne’s beloved family classic, The Wind in the Willows, returns to the Royal Botanic Gardens this summer. Presented by The Australian Shakespeare Company, The Wind in the Willows celebrates its 38th year of outdoor theatre family entertainment.
Actor Alyssa Mastromanno has the awesome job of playing Mole (or Moley as she’s sometimes referred to in the show). Mole is shy and timid at first but once she’s trusting of you, you see beyond her innocence lies an excitable, giving, loyal, and hardworking persona – all things Mastromanno identifies with. “I really admire Mole’s bravery, her curiosity, and her willingness to put herself outside her comfort zone, especially when it comes to helping her friends when they are in need,” she says.
A story of both adventure and human emotion, Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows was published in 1908 and has been read and re-read by millions all over the world. However, Mastromanno’s encounter with Grahame’s characters was not through a childhood reading but something else entirely.
“The first time I encountered The Wind in the Willows was when I was about 11 years-old: my dance school where I trained growing up adapted the story into a ballet which was performed at the end of year dance concert! I don’t remember much of the story however, I do remember being scared of Toad! The first time I properly read the book was after I had been cast – I had just read through Glenn Elston’s script adaptation and started doing my research on the show when I decided to go out and buy a copy of Grahame’s original storybook. Safe to say that I am a fan of the story now!”
For Mastromanno, The Wind in the Willows tells a lovely story of friendship that children resonate with to this day. “It teaches our littlest people the power of kindness, respect, morality, and loyalty through the display of characters both good and bad,” she says. “I think there is also an element of adventure and excitement that really entices children and allows their imaginations to run wild: we are giving animals personalities that they can either relate to themselves or see in other people. Moreover, our version of The Wind in the Willows in the Royal Botanic Gardens is packed with song and dance and fun that kids are bound to love!”
The Wind in the Willows received negative reviews upon its initial release, but it has since become a classic of British Literature. Mastromanno believes Grahame to be a genius of an author with his story carrying themes of loyalty, morality, friendship, nature – and the big one – to go on the adventure!
“There’s a quote from the original book, ‘Take the Adventure, heed the call, now ere the irrevocable moment passes!’ which sums this up perfectly. Seize the moment, be brave, take a chance sometimes. This is especially pertinent for my character, Moley. As well as a message of curiosity and courage, Grahame shares with readers and audience many other lessons, like not to judge a person on appearance and that good friendship can overcome any obstacle.”
Mastromanno says it is such an honour to be able to work with The Australian Shakespeare Company and goes on to explain more about the man behind the company and its rich history.
“Glenn Elston OAM, Artistic Director of the company, has been curating outdoor theatre in Australia since he began in 1987, and has grown the Australian Shakespeare Company into the largest independent theatre company in Australia which is such a huge achievement. All the more, he’s fostered such a wonderful work environment for creatives and performers alike. This is my first production with the Australian Shakespeare Company and everyone I have met and worked with so far have been so beautifully friendly and warm and welcoming. This year will be the 37th year that The Wind in the Willows will be performed in amongst the lush greenery and rich heritage of Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens. It is beyond exciting as an emerging performer and having grown up in Melbourne myself to be part of such a long-standing tradition in the very city I love most. There are families that come to see the show every year, new families discovering the joy of outdoor theatre, and parents who saw the show as a child 30 years ago who are now bringing their own children. For me, it’s a real privilege to be part of these family traditions. The Australian Shakespeare Company also celebrates The Wind in the Willows in the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney for over 20 years, and internationally in London’s Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. It’s clear that there is a rich history that backs this show and this theatre company which is why I am so thrilled to be a part of the 2024-2025 season opening this Friday 20th December.”
Mastromanno acknowledges there are definitely challenges that come with outdoor theatre, but, she says, it’s also a lot of fun!
“We enter the “stage” on a boat across a lake which is just awesome, and so exciting for the children. We make use of the lakes, trees, rivers, winding pathways, flowers and shrubbery of the gardens to give families an interactive theatre piece like no other. The Royal Botanic Gardens provides the perfect backdrop for our animals, it certainly helps us actors get into character. It creates and maintains an authenticity that keeps our audiences captivated. We don’t have microphones for this show season, so as performers we need to use all the tricks of the trade to ensure we are heard in the show, but also that our voices stay healthy for the whole show season. This means warming up and cooling down before and after the show, drinking plenty of water, eating well, taking vitamins, steaming or nebulising, using days off to rest, and projecting our voices safely across the gardens. When it comes to staging, we’re performing to hundreds of people, some of which could be sitting 20 meters away at times! This means the performance we deliver must be big and open, which lends itself to the pantomime style of the show. It’s big, it’s comedic, and it’s slapstick. Then there’s also the unpredictability of the Melbourne weather: we could be performing in sweltering heat one day and then clouds and rain the next! In both instances our team at Australian Shakespeare Company have different things we can put in place to make sure both the performers and audiences are safe and having an enjoyable time.”:
Unhampered by the walls of a theatre, improv is king and, for Mastromanno, a big part of the reason she loves this Pantomime style of performance.
“This year we’ve got such an awesome cast: Scott Jackson as Toad, Jack Green as Weasel, Aidan Niarros as Badger, Mat Arter as Otter, and Nicholas Dugdale as Ratty, and Wolfgang Reed as Head Chief Rabbit (an introduced character in our show that isn’t in the original book). Each and every rehearsal everyone brings new improvised gags, laugh-out-loud jokes, and fresh offers which make working on this piece just that little bit sweeter. A few of our cast members have done this version of the show before, and their experience and wisdom is not lost on me. I’ve learned so much seeing how they work and the standard of what they bring to each rehearsal. Also, you never know what kids you’re going to get in the audience! Being such an interactive piece of theatre that involves the children in the adventure of our story, we will most certainly be kept on our toes by the highly imaginative and inquisitive children in the audience. There is so much room for them to be involved, through song, dance or audience participation. I love seeing how invested and excited kids get in storybooks and play, which is another reason why I wanted to be a part of the show.”
Celebrating over three decades in Melbourne, this production has become a staple of affordable family entertainment in Australia. Blending storytelling, music, and audience participation, The Wind in the Willows has captivated generations and remains a must-see summer event.
Says Mastromanno, “The Australian Shakespeare Company’s The Wind in the Willows is a whole-family experience bound to make you laugh, sing and have bucket-loads of fun. There’s live music, dancing, and surprises galore, just pack a picnic and prepare yourself for a good time! While the show is based on Kenneth Grahame’s children’s storybook, It’s the perfect summer holiday experience for both children and adults to enjoy in the most gorgeous theatre you will ever see – the vibrant riverbanks and parklands of Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens. You do not want to miss out on this interactive theatre experience so iconic to Melbourne’s summer landscape! Coming to you this Friday 20th December 2024 to Saturday 25th January 2025.”
For more information, visit www.shakespeareaustralia.com.au.
