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Production

The Wind in the Willows - 2027
“You’ll love this production no matter what age you are!” — The Herald

Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne - Oak Lawn Gate (aka F Gate) • Friday, 18 December 2026 – Sunday, 31 January 2027

New From $30 Season 2027
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A transaction fee of $5.50 applies when booking via us. Other agents may charge other fees.

The Wind in the Willows - 2027
"Delightful, energetic family friendly production in a gorgeous setting. Kids especially enjoyed the interactive parts!"
"It was great, very interactive and funny. Both adults and kids enjoyed the show. Have recommended my friends for the wonderful experience!"
"Lakeside family friendly fun, set at the beautiful botanical gardens."
"A delightful family production, which never ages."
— The Blurb
"Willows is ideal summer family entertainment so, pack a picnic, but guard your snacks.... because Rabbit and Weasel will raid your hamper."
— Kate Herbert

About this production

Join Ratty, Mole, Badger, Otter, Portly, and, of course, Mr Toad as they bring Kenneth Grahame’s immortal story of life on the riverbank to the stage This critically acclaimed outdoor theatre production delivers music, songs, and laughs. There is fun for young and old as the Head Chief Rabbit transforms the audience into rabbits with a waggle of the ears and a wiggle of the nose. The young ‘rabbits’ are encouraged to get involved in the action and are given every opportunity to scream out loud, sing along and become part of the adventure. With laughs and surprises for children and adults, this is interactive theatre at its best. Celebrating over 35 years in the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne and 20 years in the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, The Wind in the Willows is Australia’s best-loved affordable family entertainment.
Gallery image
Run time
90
Venue
Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne - Oak Lawn Gate (aka F Gate)
Age
3 to 103 year old

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December 2026

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January 2027

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18 December 2026
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19 December 2026
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20 December 2026
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22 December 2026
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31 December 2026
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2 January 2027
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3 January 2027
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6 January 2027
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7 January 2027
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8 January 2027
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9 January 2027
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10 January 2027
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13 January 2027
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17 January 2027
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20 January 2027
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21 January 2027
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22 January 2027
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23 January 2027
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24 January 2027
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  Available   Limited   Sold Out   Cancelled

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Ticket Exchanges

You can exchange your tickets up to 3 hours prior to the performance time.

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A transaction fee of $5.50 applies when booking via us. Other agents may charge other fees.

FAQ

Are there chairs to sit on?

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For Family Theatre Performances; Chairs are not supplied either by the Production Company or Venue; however you are welcome to bring your own picnic/camping chairs.

If you bring a chair elevated more than 15cm off the grass, please sit towards the back so you do not obstruct the view of other patrons. Staff on site will be able to assist you.

For Shakespeare and Under the Stars Performances; Low-rise and standard height chairs are available for hire from our box office for $5 each at Shakespeare Under The Stars performances (subject to availability). Hire chairs cannot be arranged and paid for in advance. Hire chairs are not available at our family theatre productions.

The show is listed as Fully Booked, does this mean it is sold out?

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If a show is 'Fully Booked' this means there are no more tickets available, however more allocation may sometimes become available closer to the performance date if other patrons exchange their tickets.

Some performances may have a waitlist available which will be accessible via the show information page. We encourage guests to sign up so we can let you know when more tickets are released.

How do I request a date change?

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Ticket exchanges are sometimes necessary for our patrons due to weather conditions, family illness or unexpected emergencies. You can exchange tickets for another performance date, subject to availability (conditions apply). If a performance is cancelled due to weather, you are eligible for a lifetime credit note for the face value of your tickets. This is valid for any ASC production in Australia.

For MAINSTAGE performances, all exchanges must be made 3 hours prior to the performance start time.

For FAMILY THEATRE performances, all exchanges must be made 1 hour prior to the performance start time.

How will I be notified of a cancelled show due to bad weather?

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If a performance is to be cancelled, patrons will be notified via a text message and an email. We will also display a cancellation notice on the home page of our website.

Earliest notification of a cancelled performance will be on-the-day-of the scheduled performance and in some circumstances, may be within an hour of the scheduled start time.

Where do I collect lost property?

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If you have lost an item at one of our shows please call (03) 8676 7511 or email boxoffice@shakespeareaustralia.com.au.

If you find an item, please pass it onto one of our team members so it can be reunited with its owner.

Can I meet and greet the performers after the show?

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Meet-and-greets are typically reserved for important requests, such as for children with unique needs, and are subject to performer health, schedule, and weather/venue conditions.

Even when pre-arranged, unforeseen circumstances may require us to adjust or cancel them at short notice. If you’d like to request a meet-and-greet, please reach out in advance and we will do our best to accommodate.

What does it mean when a performance says “allocation exhausted”?

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Allocation exhausted means that there are currently no tickets available for this event. More tickets may be released, but this is not guaranteed. If you are looking for a single extra ticket, please contact our Box Office on 03 8676 7511.

What happens if the weather is bad?

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Earliest notification of a cancelled performance will be on the day of the performance. Performances usually proceed in light drizzle, but cancellations do occur when needed.

If a performance is cancelled, patrons will be notified via text message and email.

Guests will be able to exchange their tickets for another night, or receive a credit note for future ASC performances.

Where can I buy tickets?

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Our primary location for ticket sales is via our website.

Alternatively, you may use our secondary ticketing partners: Ticketmaster, TodayTix and Halftix.

Onsite Box Office Sales are also permitted on arrival, (subject to availability).

Please note, Viagogo is not a legitimate ticket seller for any ASC events.

What is a Companion Card Ticket?

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This ticket is for carers and support works with a valid Companion Card.

This card is for people with significant and permanent disability who have a lifelong need for a high level of support to participate in community events and activities.

The card allows a person’s carer free entry into participating venues and events.

Companion Cards are part of a nationally run program that aims to promote a person’s right to fair ticketing and to make community access and participation more accessible and affordable.

When purchasing a Companion Ticket, please remember to bring your companion card with you so our box office team may sight it on arrival. If you are not able to provide a valid companion card, you may be asked to upgrade your ticket to a different price type.

What time does the performance start?

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The performance start time is the marked time on your ticket and booking confirmation; it is not the venue opening time.

Photos & Filming

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You are allowed to take photos of the stage, as well as with your family and friends before the show. However, no photos or video are permitted during the performance.

Can I smoke onsite?

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Our audience areas are smoke-free, especially at our family shows. Each venue has a different policy on smoking. Check out the venue information pages to know more.

Why do weather cancellations happen last minute?

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We cannot gather accurate and up to date weather data from the Bureau of Meteorology until approximately 2 hours prior to the start of each show.

We closely monitor rain maps and radars to assess whether or not the predicted forecast will eventuate as planned, be delayed, change directions or disperse.

The current El Nino pattern adds another layer of complexity to assess for cancellations. It means that sudden weather changes are more likely and thus, advance warning for some weather events has been compromised.

In the event of a cancellation, customers will be notified by a text message and an email, and a public notice will be placed on the home page of the website.

Can I bring my dog?

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Dogs are not allowed at performances of mainstage or family theatre shows. However, service animals are always welcome.

What time does the venue open?

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For Mainstage Under The Stars Performances

The gates to the performance area open 2 hours prior to the start of the show.

For Outdoor Family Theatre Performances

The performance area opens 1 hour prior to the performance.

How do I get there?

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Each venue has its own information page with maps, directions, transport and other general information. You may find this page on the show page by clicking the button labeled "Venue Information."

Do you accept Companion Card?

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The Australian Shakespeare Company is pleased to support the Companion Card program. You may purchase one Companion Card ticket during the regular booking process.

If you require additional Companion Card tickets, please contact the box office directly on 03 8676 7511.

Please ensure to bring your valid companion card with you on the date of the performance.

I have a question regarding accessibility

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We are here to help you and make the most of your experience, so please let us know your individual requirements when booking. You can contact us on 03 8676 7511 or email boxoffice@shakespeareaustralia.com.au.

Please note, all performances take place on grass.

How does seating work?

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All our outdoor shows are presented in the style of “Picnic Theatre”. This means you can bring along everything you would bring to a picnic such as food, drink and a picnic rug to sit on. You can bring standard height picnic chairs but you will need to sit at the back of the audience area so people sitting on blankets and low rise chairs can see the show unobstructed.

Chair hire is also available onsite for $5 for all Shakespeare Under The Stars performances. No pre-booking possible and there are limited numbers.

Venue

Map for Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne - Oak Lawn Gate (aka F Gate)

Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne - Oak Lawn Gate (aka F Gate)

Near the Cnr Dallas Brooks Dr & Birdwood Avenue Melbourne Victoria

Venue info

Our family theatre events are picnic-seating style performances. Chairs are not provided, so please plan accordingly. Guests are welcome to bring anything that will make their experience more comfortable, including picnic rugs, cushions, or camping chairs. Please note that high-rise chairs may be positioned further back so as not to obstruct the view of other patrons, particularly children. We strongly recommend packing for all weather conditions, including raincoats for wet weather and hats and sunscreen for warmer days. You are also welcome to bring your own food and beverages to enjoy as a picnic during the show. For additional tips on what to bring or how to prepare, please refer to our Family Theatre FAQs.

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