|
On Saturday 25th November, 2000 it was my good fortune to attend the matinee performance of The Secret Garden at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-on-Avon. What can I say? It was an absolute delight.
The curtain rises and the scene is set in India where a little girl named Mary Lennox lives with her parents. Sadly Mary's parents pass away due to an outbreak of cholera. Mary is then sent to live with her Uncle, Archibald Craven, at Mistlethwaite. Mrs Medlock, Mr. Craven's housekeeper, meets Mary when her ship docks in England after her journey from India. The stage is full of ‘passengers' with a hurried atmosphere. Mary is taken, against her wishes to begin with, to Mistlethwaite.
Mary feels she should have someone to dress her, just as she did in India, but one of the maids, Martha soon puts her straight. She encourages Mary to go out to play in the garden. The set is wonderfully made, the trees and branches looking almost real. Mary meets, Dickon, Martha's brother and they sing a melody together to help Mary settle in.
Philip Quast plays the part of Archibald Craven, dominating the stage immediately; continuing to do so right up until the finale.
He plays the part of a hunchback who is pining for Lily, his deceased wife; he cannot bear to be apart from her and will not accept her death. The actress playing the part of Lily, has an angelic voice and wears a white satin dress; the lighting on the stage giving the illusion that she is a ghost and only there in spirit. She sings with Archie and they dance, Oh! So beautifully, around the stage. It was heavenly just watching them both.
Archie cannot believe the likeness between his deceased wife, Lily, and Mary Lennox; Mary's mother being Lily's sister. Mary hears someone crying in the night and then the scene changes to show Colin Craven, Archie's son supposedly dying in bed. Mary will not accept that her cousin is dying and tells him he is fit and well.
Mary tells Colin that a robin helped her find a key to his mother's secret garden and the music, dancing and songs take us there, to this magical place. Mary and Dickon help Colin to become strong and walk.
Archie goes into the secret garden, by now a mass of trailing roses excellently depicted and realistic, and marvels at his son. Archie hugs Colin and it is only at this point he feels he can let Lily go and get on with life. Mary thinks she is not wanted but Archie thanks her for what she has done.
Everyone is happy and full of song and this renders the story finished. The cast all come on to the stage and sing together 'Come into my Garden'. The atmosphere is quiet except for the performers until they finish their song and give a final bow. The audience is ecstatic and full of admiration.
Every person in the theatre watching the show was entranced, being treated to an array of wonderful songs and acting ability, superbly performed by every member of the cast.
The star of the show had to be Philip; whose dulcet tones echoed way above those of his fellow cast members. With a six-foot stature and voice booming, he proved to be a fine actor in addition to his brilliant singing talent and was in no way a disappointment. I am still in shock from the experience of seeing such a gorgeous, handsome man in the flesh! OOOOOOH……………….
The two young children who played Mary Lennox and Colin Craven both gave perfect performances and appeared to have a genuine rapport with Philip.
The show was excellent value for money and good all round family entertainment; a definite must for all Quasties who are fortunate enough to obtain a ticket.
