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The Wind in the Willows in Dubai from April 17

DUBAI - Coming as a visual treat to Dubai residents, especially children this summer, is the dramatisation of the classic children's book The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame.

Brought here by the Street Fringe Theatre, The Wind in the Willows will be staged at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dubai from April 17 to 21.

Philippe Duquenoy, Production Director, Streetwise Fringe Theatre, said at a Press conference yesterday that the classic tale was being performed in England by the Take 6 Theatre Company for the past two years.

"The performance is done in a traditional format with the script written by Willis Hall, who has earlier authored another Streetwise production Kidnapped at Christmas, said Mr Duquenoy.

Noted for its graceful charm, The Wind in the Willows reveals the conflict between Grahame's aristocratic background and the new social concerns.

The story epitomises a struggle between the noisy, common way of life and the quiet and genteel. The Wild Wooders, including the stoats and the weasels, represent the former, while the river-bankers, including the Badger, Mole, Rat, and Toad, stand in for the latter. The toad is a rebel who does not fit in either camp. Structurally, the fantasy is a small epic in prose.

Using nature as a background, Tour 6 takes the audience along in all its escapades as the lively characters in The Wind in the Willows.

"To give a natural effect, the characters have donned life-like costumes and used special make-up effects," informed Mr Duquenoy. "The musical scores have been composed by Dennis King and they are sure to keep the audience humming," he further added.

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