My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

EDINBURGH 2016 - Review: THE SECRET GARDEN, Gilded Balloon, 8 August

By:

Based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden is about Mary Lennox. Mary is a spoiled, sullen child who has been raised by servants in India. After the death of her parents she is sent to England to stay with an uncle and discovers a locked garden in his grounds. The garden was locked 10 years before when his wife died and Mary brings it to life again.

This is a musical version of the story, although I would describe more as a play with music rather than a musical as such. The storytelling is magical and the little ones in the audience were enthralled from start to finish. There is limited space in the venue, so the company have been really inventive with their use of space and props. While this could be a huge flashy show with a massive set, it feels a lot more special to have this intimate setting and a more imaginative production.

The Secret Garden is such a wonderful story and it was lovely to see a production that has been so lovingly created.

The Secret Garden runs at the Gilded Balloon until 19 August.

Reader Reviews

To post a comment, you must register and login.

Theater Fans' Choice Awards
2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats
Best Sound Design - Top 3
1. Adam Fisher - The Lost Boys
36.6% of votes
2. Tony Gayle - Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)
11.1% of votes
3. John Shivers - Chess
7.2% of votes

Don't Miss a Scotland News Story
Sign up for all the news on the Spring season, discounts & more...


Videos


Tell Me in Scotland Tell Me
Summerhall (Dissection Room) (8/07-8/31)
Heated Rivalry: The Musical Parody! in Scotland Heated Rivalry: The Musical Parody!
Gilded Balloon Patter House - Other Yin (8/05-8/30)
Tale of the Firebird in Scotland Tale of the Firebird
Assembly Roxy (Central) (8/06-8/30)
Sitting (In Silence) in Scotland Sitting (In Silence)
Summerhall (Anatomy Lecture Theatre) (8/06-8/31)
The Listies: 110% Ready in Scotland The Listies: 110% Ready
Assembly (Studio One) (8/05-8/16)
Reparations in Scotland Reparations
Pleasance Courtyard (Above) (8/05-8/30)
Shamilton! The Improvised Hip Hop Musical  in Scotland Shamilton! The Improvised Hip Hop Musical
Assembly George Square Studios - One (8/05-8/30)
Black Blues Brothers: Let's Twist Again! in Scotland Black Blues Brothers: Let's Twist Again!
Underbelly (McEwan Hall) (8/05-8/31)
Friendliest in Scotland Friendliest
Gilded Balloon (The Nook) (8/08-8/31)
Big Stuff in Scotland Big Stuff
Assembly (Roxy Boxy) (5/05-5/30)