There are few more idyllic ways to spend a summer’s day in London than at Kew Gardens. Long before the actors make their entrance, families spread picnic blankets beside the lake, children dart between the trees with infectious excitement, and dragonflies skim the water’s edge. It is the sort of setting that seems tailor-made for Kenneth Grahame’s beloved tale, making Theatre on Kew’s 40th anniversary production of The Wind In The Willows feel perfectly at home in its enchanting surroundings.
Presented by the Australian Shakespeare Company, Glenn Elston’s much-loved adaptation has delighted audiences for four decades, and it is easy to understand why it has become such an enduring summer tradition. Directed by Otis Elston, this open-air production captures all the warmth, humour and gentle eccentricity of Grahame’s classic while embracing the unique magic that only outdoor theatre can offer.
Watching alongside my daughters, aged seven and nine, it was impossible not to be swept up in the sense of fun. This is family theatre in its truest form: genuinely entertaining for children without ever talking down to them, while offering more than enough wit and nostalgia to keep adults thoroughly engaged.
The familiar story follows the steadfast Mole, dependable Ratty, wise Badger and irrepressibly reckless Mr Toad as they navigate friendship, adventure and the occasional scrape along the riverbank. Rather than relying on elaborate scenery, the production allows Kew’s magnificent landscape to become an integral part of the storytelling. The shimmering lake, towering trees and expansive lawns provide a backdrop that no traditional theatre could hope to replicate.
Audience participation is woven naturally into the performance and never feels forced. One of the production’s greatest pleasures comes when young audience members are invited to become rabbits, enthusiastically waggling their ears and joining the action on the riverbank. Judging by the delighted expressions surrounding us, it was undoubtedly one of the highlights for many of the younger theatre-goers, including my own daughters, who threw themselves into the adventure with enormous enthusiasm.
Humour flows effortlessly throughout, from Mr Toad’s wonderfully inflated sense of self-importance to a stream of gloriously groan-inducing wordplay that had children and adults laughing in equal measure. Toad’s beloved motor car is proudly revealed to be not a Toyota but a “Toy-toada”, while another wonderfully silly exchange about “lactoad intolerance” prompted appreciative chuckles from the grown-ups as the younger members of the audience giggled along. It is exactly this blend of innocent slapstick, clever puns and playful theatricality that gives the production such broad appeal. Songs and music punctuate the action without overwhelming it, while the relaxed picnic atmosphere encourages families to settle in and enjoy the performance at their own pace. Unlike a traditional auditorium, where younger children can sometimes feel constrained, the outdoor setting creates an altogether more relaxed experience, making it particularly well suited to first-time theatre-goers.
What makes Theatre on Kew so special, however, is that the performance forms just one part of an exceptional family day out. Every ticket includes admission to the Royal Botanic Gardens, allowing visitors to spend the morning exploring the Children’s Garden, wandering beneath the Treetop Walkway or discovering the Henry Moore: Monumental Nature Family Trail before making their way to the lakeside performance space. During the summer holidays, families can also enjoy the Tom Gates EPIC Adventure, making it remarkably easy to fill an entire day without ever leaving the gardens.
There is something wonderfully nostalgic about watching The Wind in the Willows in such surroundings. Parents who grew up with Kenneth Grahame’s timeless characters are reminded why they fell in love with them in the first place, while a new generation discovers Ratty, Mole and the unforgettable Mr Toad for themselves. It is theatre that celebrates imagination rather than spectacle, proving that compelling storytelling, engaging performances and a beautiful setting are often all that is needed.
Forty years after Glenn Elston first adapted this cherished classic, The Wind in the Willows remains a masterclass in outdoor family entertainment. Warm-hearted, engaging and full of laughter, it captures the carefree spirit of an English summer with effortless charm. Combined with one of London’s most beautiful attractions, it offers not simply an enjoyable theatrical performance but one of the capital’s finest family experiences this season.
The Wind In The Willows until 23 August 2026
Address: Kew Gardens, London, TW9 3AE
Website: www.kew.org/kew-gardens/whats-on/theatre-on-kew
