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

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.

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