REVIEW: THE SECRET GARDEN

RAODS

The Island House, Romsey

THE story starts with Mary Lennox (Diana Thomas) surviving an earthquake that kills her parents, but not before she’s learnt some warped lessons from her self-absorbed mother (Gemma Wilks) who really threw herself into the part. Arriving at her sole relative’s house in Yorkshire, Thomas played the part of the petulant, displaced child to perfection. Her sour and superior ways are not enough to dampen the spirit of her maid (Lilly Holmes) or animal-charming Dicken (Henry Roberts). Whilst they bond, her hidden-away cousin languishes in pity and lies, until discovered by the trio, who set about restoring a secret garden, his health and her Uncle’s heart. Once together the four charm the audience with their characters, aided and abetted by the gruff gardener (Colin Russell). It’s not easy to pull off a show of this quality in a (glorious) outdoor location and it’s a testament to the skill of the leads, the technical team and the vision of the director (Peter Moore) that they delivered.

Rebecca Case