Tom's Midnight Garden - Another splendid show from Playbox!
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Tom’s Midnight Garden adapted by David Wood from Philipa Pearce’s Carnegie Medal-winning novel. Performed by Playbox at The Dream Factory, Warwick, from 4 – 7 June. Directed by Mary King.
Review by Ann Evans.
One of the best things about seeing a Playbox production at the Dream Factory is the uplifting feeling their performances always give you. These young performers, aged from tots to 19-year-olds put their hearts and souls into their performances, all of them giving 110 per cent. In addition to their energy, enthusiasm and hard work, the most wonderful thing to see is the friendship, support and respect they all seem to have for each other. Before, during and after these shows there is such a happy vibe which is so heartening to see.
That said, on to Playbox’s latest production, Tom’s Midnight Garden – this play being one where the younger members of the ensemble take on the leading roles. Older members (up to the grand old age of 19!) play the adult characters such as Aunt Gwen (Sophie Krikler), Uncle Alan (James Hesford), Aunt Grace (Arabella Saunders), Abel (Jack Hobson) and Mrs Bartholomew (Emily O'Dell).
The lead role of Tom Long is played excellently by Ben Foulerton who has a lot of lines to deliver which he does faultlessly and with clarity and sufficient volume to make every word heard. Delightful performances also by the three young actresses playing the role of Hatty at different times of her life. Hatty aged 6 is played by Esther Maria Theodorou, Hatty aged 9 is played by Audrey Chalk and Hatty aged 19 is played by Sophie Handford. They each performed excellently with some touching scenes such as the ice skating scene - so cleverly done; and a scene when young Hatty falls from a tree. With cast members playing the trees, the fall in slow motion was perfectly executed.
There is a minimal amount of props and scenery. Mostly, things like trees, ornaments, a greenhouse, a cathedral tower and even a flock of geese are portrayed by the cast, often posed and motionless. The main piece of actual scenery is a grandfather clock, which is the focus of this story as time shifts forwards and backwards, taking Tom into this fantasy Victorian garden inhabited by people from different times - in particular Hatty - their friendship lasting a lifetime. The ticking clock that chimes 13 also has a puzzle for Tom and Hatty to solve - Time No Longer. What does it mean?
The clock and the house are owned by the elderly Mrs Bartholomew. Tom's Aunt Gwen and Uncle Alan rent a flat in her home, and it's here that Tom is sent while his brother Peter (Milo Keenan McGill) recovers from Measles.
There are a number of moments in this play which bring a tear to the eye; and lots of lively scenes when this cast of 45 young people aged between 9 and 19 enact this classic fantasy story. Excellent performances by all the cast, but I must give a special mention to Edgar played by Beckett Mitchell. Edgar plays the youngest of three brothers (James played by Teddy Travis and Hubert played by Isabel Daplyn) who enjoy making Hatty’s life a bit of a misery. And the meanest of the threesome is Edgar – who plays the part to perfection! And who I think, stole a few hearts from members of the audience in the process.
As always Playbox has a great creative team and production team behind them ensuring lighting and music and all the backstage action runs smoothly - which it did, ensuring the audience could sit back and enjoy a well rehearsed, delightful production - as always!
Tom's Midnight Garden runs until 7 June. For tickets go to: https://www.ticketsource.com/playboxtheatre/e-yzjgdj
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