Secret Garden Blooms at the Tabard Theatre

A timeless production that will appeal to any age says Susan Stanley-Carroll


Jordan Rising as Dickon and Daisy Rae as Mary in the snow. Picture: Charles Flint

December 21, 2023

Ssh! Did you know there is a secret garden in Chiswick’s Theatre at the Tabard? Don’t tell anyone until you have booked your tickets! This scintillating new production is based on a script by Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic children’s novel written in 1911 and brought head first into the twenty-first century by Director Simon Reilly. Miss it at your peril!

The story is about Mary Lennox, an unhappy, petulant and lonely orphan who is dispatched to her uncle’s Yorkshire country estate. She finds comfort in the garden playing with Dickon the garden boy. Mary’s inquisitive attitude results in her finding, with the aid of Dickon and a robin, the key to a garden that has been locked for ten years. She also discovers the cause of the desperate wailings that haunt the house during the night.

The script by Louise Haddington is spot on; she retains the original dialogue from the book and creates a play that is fresh and absorbing. Simon and his strong cast of actors and creatives rework the novel’s ideas into a remarkable production.

Daisy Rae as Mary Lennox evolves from a petulant, horrid child to a glowing, enthusiastic girl who inspires not only the servants but Colin - her cantankerous cousin. Daisy’s sensitive and witty performance is riveting to watch.

Sam McHale’s intense study of Colin Craven, the apparently invalid son of Mary’s uncle, is exemplary. He releases a gamut of emotions through his tantrums as he manipulates his servants and tries to control Mary but eventually finds happiness.

Mari Luz Cervantes’ captivating personality brims with joy and kindness and she adds a delicious sparkle of goodness as she unwittingly releases the unhappy children from their grief.

Jordan Rising as Dickon and Richard Lounds, as Ben Weatherstaff and also Archibald Craven, both add depth and substance to this magnificent cast.

Freya Alderson, a puppeteer, immerses herself in the wee robin; very much like my garden robin! She also gives a commanding performance as Mrs Medlock the housekeeper.

The Designer, Hazel Owen’s fascinating set changes the small studio into a lofty mansion house. It has the most convincing and charming magical garden that imperceptibly appears to grow plants from winter to summer. Nat Green’s lighting adds authenticity to the drama as does Nick Gilbert’s atmospheric soundscape. Alice McNicholas’s authentic costumes reflect the period of the drama.

Sam McHale as Colin and Daisy Rae as Mary
Sam McHale as Colin and Daisy Rae as Mary. Picture: Charles Flint

The exquisite acting and bonding between the cast caused me to well up before the first interval but by the end of the story tears flowed for the innate beauty of this exceptionally imaginative production. Simon Reilly’s “Secret Garden” is a rare treat and should enchant an audience of any age - and, then, they will return home and reread the book to relive this drama again.

Susan Stanley-Carroll

Alyssa, Alex and Lachlan joined Susan on Tuesday night to watch “The Secret Garden’ here are their comments:

"It was really good. I really enjoyed it. It was such a different experience, but in a good way. My favourite character was Mary because of her attitude and confidence and how she really set the scene for the story. My favourite part was when the snow fell. It felt so magical for me.” Alyssa aged 11.

“I was surprised to find how much I cared about Mary and how happy I was when the robin showed her the key to the garden. The garden as it grew into summer seemed to change Mary and the angry Colin into happy children. There was magic in that garden”. Lachlan aged 12.

“A mysterious and magical story that was at times emotional. I knew the fox, rabbit and robin were puppets but they appeared alive and convinced me the children were in an enchanted garden. The robin was just like the robin in my garden.” Alex aged 10.

 

Daisy Rae as Mary and Sam McHale as Colin. Picture: Charles FlintDaisy Rae as Mary and Sam McHale as Colin. Picture: Charles Flint

 Tickets cost from £15.50 to £23.50. You can book all productions online on the Tabard Theatre web site or call the box office on 020 8995 6035 (leave a message if you can't get through and your call will be returned).

Theatre at the Tabard is at 2 Bath Road, Chiswick (W4 1LW).

 

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