Theatre Review - The Secret Garden
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| Hannah Khalique-Brown in The Secret Garden [Alex Brenner] |
REGENT’S Park Open-Air Theatre is the perfect setting for Holly Robinson and Anna Himali Howard’s vibrant adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s 1911 classic celebrating the healing power of nature.
The Secret Garden opens in India with the death of Mary Lennox’s parents from cholera. Mary (Hannah Khalique-Brown), aged 10, is placed under the guardianship of her uncle, Lord Archibald Craven (Jack Humphrey) in Yorkshire.
At Misselthwaite Manor, Archibald still mourns the loss of his late wife. Their son Colin (Theo Angel) is disabled and never leaves his bedroom. Archibald remains distant from his child, travelling abroad whenever he can.
Despite her hot temper, lonely Mary is befriended by animal lover and Moor child, Dickon (Brydie Service), the maid Martha (Molly Hewitt-Richards) and gnarled gardener Ben Weatherstaff (Richard Clews). A playful robin (Sharan Phull) leads her to the abandoned, overgrown garden.
Together they start restoring the space, weeding and planting.
Mary discovers her cousin after she hears him weeping. Believing the garden will cure Colin of his melancholy, she encourages him to join them.
Nurtured by friendship Mary learns compassion, just as the garden blossoms with her care.
Full of charm, The Secret Garden is beautifully acted, the use of a chorus adds atmosphere, the simple puppetry is a delight. Another lovely innovation in this stage adaptation is that Mary and Colin are of dual heritage – their mothers are both Indian.
It’s a shame Himali Howard didn’t make better use of the park’s thrilling flora. Instead we have ribbons and festive decorations to represent a flourishing garden.
Otherwise, the only false note in her pitch-perfect production, is the sentimental song at the end.
Warmly recommended.
Originally published by Camden New Journal
Until July 20