TOM'S MIDNIGHT GARDEN. To 5 July.

Nottingham.

TOM’S MIDNIGHT GARDEN
by Philippa Pearce adapted by David Wood.

Nottingham Playhouse: To 5 July 2008.
1.30pm: 24, 25, 26, 27 June, 1, 2, 3, 4 July.
2pm: 28 June, 5 July.
7pm: 27, 28 June, 4, 5 July.
Audio-Described/BSL Signed/Captioned 5 July, 2.00pm.
Ryns 2hr 5min One interval.

TICKETS: 0115 941 9419.
www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk
Review: Alan Geary 20 June 2008.

Fine fare for the children, of course; but adults will also enjoy it.
Involving, as it does, the passage of time, distant memories and the pain of loss, the children’s story from which this is adapted is one of the most moving ever written.

Under Andrew Breakwell’s direction this in-house production captures most of the qualities of the book. It’s partly the acting, partly the music, partly the costumes, but mostly it’s down to a beautifully designed rounded stairway set from Laura McEwen, dominated by a huge clock which strikes thirteen.

Some brilliant special effects allow the clock to function also as a screen for back-projection of absent character Peter as he reads Tom’s letters, and as the moon in some of the outdoor scenes.

The children are done by adults - always a tricky undertaking - but it works. Real time is 1958 so when he’s not in pyjamas Tom (Gregor Henderson Begg) is in school uniform, his short trousers held up by one of those snake-buckle belts, evoking all that stamp-collecting and train-spotting. Bryony Harding, absolutely right for the heavy late-Victorian clothing, achieves Hatty’s transition from little girl to young woman splendidly.

Tanya Myers, a good actor who does well as Aunt Grace, is less successful playing the ancient Mrs Bartholomew - she simply doesn’t look old enough. Her scene at the end though, when all is revealed, is nicely done.

Music, played by three of the actors, adds a lot to the mood and atmosphere although the musicians are sometimes visually over-intrusive - some children might not appreciate that they’re not part of the action.

This is ideal fare for the children, of course, but it’s also rich entertainment if your childhood is far behind you. And it will probably encourage you to read or re-read the Philippa Pearce book.

James/Guide: Jack Beale.
Tom: Gregor Henderson Begg.
Uncle Alan/Abel: Jim Findley.
Hubert/Barty: Nicholas Goode.
Hatty: Bryony Harding.
Susan/Aunt Gwen: Joanna Macleod.
Mrs Bartholomew/Aunt Grace: Tanya Myers.
Peter/Edgar: Dan Willis.

Director: Andrew Breakwell.
Designer: Laura McEwen.
Lighting: James Farncombe.
Composer/Musical Director: Dan Willis.

2008-06-22 00:51:02