The Secret Garden

And Pretty Maids All

The Secret Garden

by Louise Haddington, adapted from the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Take Note Theatre at the Theatre at the Tabard, Chiswick until 31^st December

Review by Heather Moulson

On my first visit to this renowned theatre at Turnham Green, an elegant space upstairs over an equally elegant pub, we discovered a neat stage area and a very receptive audience, soon with ourselves included.

The Secret Garden opened against a deceptively plain background, the basis of a sensitively designed set by Hazel Owen.  Here meet the unhappy and lonely ten year old Mary Lennox, recently arrived from India to become a ward to an indifferent rich uncle.  The little girl, was played by Daisy Rae, skilful with her edginess, and with a striking stage presence, as she portrayed an unloved, but privileged child, with talent and conviction. 

In a very authentic Yorkshire accent, Mari Luz Cervantes as the maid Martha Sowerby, nicely peeled away Mary’s hard emotional layers.  Mary in turn could not resist the young servant’s compassion.  Freya Alderson as Mrs Medlock kept the right balance of a housekeeper’s gruff kindness with a strict and monumental demeanour. 

Adapted from Frances Hodgson Burnett’s famous children’s book, most of these characters carried pain before they discovered joy.  Richard Lounds who doubled up as gardener Ben Weatherstaff, as well as the cold uncle, Archibald Craven, had a commanding yet enticing presence.  Dressed in a luxurious long coat, Craven carried a sad glamour as a bitter, grieving widower, in Lounds’ highly watchable performance.

Martha’s twelve year old brother Dickon exuded gritty Northern-ness and pure kindness, extending his friendship to the lonely Mary.  Mary, unlike her new friend, has had everything except love.   Jordan Rising fell naturally into the role of Dickson.  Sam McHale as Colin Craven, the sickly and neglected son, conveyed his vital point of the story with poignancy and humour.

Exquisite and authentic costumes, designed by Alice McNicholas, enhance the ambiance.  Realistic puppetry was beautifully executed by members of the cast.  The puppets, designed by Hazel Owen and Josh Armitage carried a real presence without being intrusive.  

The secret garden of the title was revealed in a soft gentle green hue through the French doors, in Nat Green’s moody and atmospheric lighting design, and the tense and tender sound created by Nick Gilbert.   Mary wandering through the garden was an unforgettable moment.   

The first half had a better pace than the second, and we waited a beat too long for the reconciliation of the two Cravens, and their embracing of the locked away garden.  That didn’t make it any the less of a touching ending.

Directed in detail by Simon Reilly, The Secret Garden is an affecting, nostalgic piece, ideal for the mood of Christmas and the Tabard is really worth a visit during the festivities.

Heather Moulson, December 2023

Photography by Charles Flint