The Secret Garden on stage comes to Dorset (From Dorset Echo)

The Secret Garden on stage comes to Dorset

10:00am Saturday 7th January 2012 in Stage By Marion Cox

THIS justly famous children’s novel has been transformed into a stunning piece of physical theatre that is a feast for all the senses, thanks to the imaginative creative team of Angel Exit, a Dorset-based professional company.

Now celebrating its centenary, the story tells of the orphaned Mary Lennox, despatched to Yorkshire from India to live at the strangely forbidding home of her mysterious uncle where she discovers a magical new life, thanks to a local boy and a chirpy robin.

Frances Hodgson Burnett’s life-enhancing tale of how Mary turns bereavement and loss into positive achievement and personal growth for herself and the rest of the household, is captured vividly from a child’s perspective as the actors recreate the flavour of the novel’s atmosphere.

The cast of five young actors not only take on the many roles with a minimum of props and costume changes, they also create the sets, move the scenery, manage the puppets and reproduce the sound effects of a country garden.

A well-constructed script by Tamsin Fessey assisted by Tom Bell’s original musical score helps take the audience on a convincing journey to India, to the interior of a vast and lonely manor house as well as the delight of watching a neglected garden spring back to life.

Quality family entertainment, just go along this week in Dorchester or at a number of other venues including Poole Lighthouse in April.