|
|
The Secret Garden Birmingham Rep **** TAKING a much loved book and not only
putting it on stage but making it into a musical is fraught with danger. But Birmingham Rep in a co-production with West
Yorkshire Playhouse have largely pulled it off. They were helped by the
fact it is a bit of a girlie book so at least half the audience, most of
the men and a lesser number of women who had not read it, had no idea what the book was
about and so had no preconceived ideas or expectations. It all starts when Mary Lennox played beautifully
by Amy Lennox (no relation - that's journalistic training coming out)
is orphaned in India and his sent to live with her uncle Archibald
Craven at Misselthwaite Manor on the edge ot'moors, lass. Mary is a skinny, miserable little madam used to
screaming at servants and tha doesna do that int'Yorkshire, lass. She is
brought down to earth with a bump by her maid Martha Sowerby, a grand
Northern name, played down to earth, matter of factly by Evelyn
Hoskins. Her collection of cobbled street mill town
skipping songs while skipping is one of the highlights and generated a
deserved round of applause. Archie, Christopher Dickens showing a fine
singing voice, is a bit of a Captain Von Trapp character living a
miserable life in the past since his wife, sister of Mary's mother, dies
10 years ago. He also has a secret, a son, Colin, hidden in the
old garret tended by cousin Percival, the family doctor. James Gillan
gives a nice level of frustrated petulance as the bed and guilt ridden
son although it does require a Bob Beaman sized leap of the imagination
to be convinced he is 10. To his credit though he does bring our Colin
to life.
The garden of the title has been left untended
since Lily died and is brought back to life by Mary and Dickon Sowerby
(Thomas Aldridge), the brother of Martha, who both manage convincing
northern accents by the way without making then so strong you would need
surtitles. The garden finds Mary eventually smiling again
and finally brings the invalid Colin back to life as well so that
everyone can live happily ever after. Frances Hodgson Burnett, the author of the book
which was first published complete in New York in 1911, was a
Lancastrian, from Manchester, but her family had moved to the US when
she was 16. She was also a Christian Scientist and The Secret
Garden is seen as her way of expressing the healing powers of nature. The set, designed by Ruari Murchison, is a
veritable merry-go-round with the revolving stage dominated by a huge
central brick tower serving as India, the manor, bedrooms,
offices, its gardens, the secret garden as well as the railway and a
horse and carriage. There is clever use of gardeners as walls as well
as a symbolic robin and a rook. I thought the set and smooth rapid changes
worked, others found it made them giddy. The music by Tim Sutton and songs were
interesting and added to the show and although no song stood out as a
possible hit beyond the confines of Misselthwaite none sounded like
positive turkeys. The first half setting the scene so we know who
everyone is and what they are like is a little slow paced but that picks
up after the interval and there is even some tension built up as to
whether Mary will be sent away destroying the magic of the garden. Magic
though is a bit of a problem. This is the last production on the main stage
before it goes dark for two years and it continues in the Rep tradition
of classy festive offerings. It is certainly lavish and beautifully
produced and has plenty of feel good factor to commend it. It is a charming children's story but with no
Christmas element at all in the story it is just a musical and one
wonders if there is enough magic and sparkle to enchant younger audience
members taken along as a festive treat. Roger Clarke
LESS than 15 minutes into this stage
adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett's classic novel I knew I was
seeing something quite magical . . . the remarkable set designed by
Ruari Murchison. Built on a revolving base, it represents the
imposing Misselthwaite Manor in the heart of the Yorkshire Moors, and it
can be opened up, dolls house fashion, become a brick tower, spin to
reveal different bedrooms, while a second revolving section includes
solid wooden doors through which the characters frequently emerge. And, of course, it has the gardens so important
to the story which, although aimed at attracting children, proves
equally endearing for adults with its touch of mystery, menace and a
happy ending. With all this talk about the surroundings, let's
not forget the excellent cast whose acting and singing is of the highest
order, Amy Lennox superb as young Mary Lennox who moves to live with her
grumpy widowed uncle, Archibald Craven (Christopher Dickins) when she is
orphaned in India.
Her transformation from a spiteful, spoilt and
moody 10-year-old into a happy helpful child determined to revive her
apparently confined-to-bed weakling cousin, Colin, is inspirational. Thomas Aldridge excels, too, as Mary's new
friend, Dickon, joining with her to uncover the secrets of the secret
garden. There is a charming performance from Evelyn Hoskins (the maid
Martha Sowerby), and James Gillan is an impressive Colin, particularly
when he bursts into song and takes his first steps. Caroline Keiff, playing the dual roles of Mary's
mother and aunt, Julie Jupp (Mrs Medlock, the housekeeper), Alan Vicary
(the gardener) and Giles Taylor (Dr Percival Craven), all make a
considerable impact, while the band, under musical director Dan Jackson,
provide the extremely pleasant music written and arranged by Tim Sutton. Directed by Ian Brown, the Secret Garden remains
open till 08.01.11. A fitting finale before the Rep closes for its major
rebuilding project. Paul Marston
|
|
|