New adaptation to celebrate the centenary of Hodgson Burnett’s much-loved classic.
The Secret Garden has been created by acclaimed physical theatre company, Angel Exit Theatre. The show will premiere at the Dorchester Corn Exchange before setting off on a four month UK tour, performing 60 times in 36 venues, ranging from Buxton Opera House to village halls around Somerset, Dorset, Kent and Wiltshire. The tour takes in the oldest theatre in Wales - Monmouth’s Savoy Theatre - and the second oldest theatre in England, Margate Theatre Royal.
"Theatrical invention is everywhere...visually exciting throughout, this production never loses the quality of a life-changing adventure story" -THE STAGE (on Moonfleet)
Angel Exit unearth the dark heart of The Secret Garden, which sees spoilt orphan, Mary Lennox, plucked from the bright vibrancy of India in 1899 and transplanted to a mysterious old house full of secrets on the grey Yorkshire moors. As Mary battles loneliness she encounters locked doors, a curious robin, hidden keys, and strange cries ringing down the corridor…
Presented in Angel Exit's rich visual style and blending ensemble storytelling with striking physicality, beautiful puppets, haunting songs and an original soundtrack, The Secret Garden is performed by an ensemble of five. “The story is about grief and about how people push through it, keep going, and eventually grow” says the director.
“There is so much vivid theatricality and inventiveness at work here that I am already looking forward to its next show” – LYN GARDNER, THE GUARDIAN (on Imaginary Prisons)
The Secret Garden has been written by Co-Artistic Directors Tamsin Fessey and Lynne Forbes under the guidance of playwright Phil Porter (Beauty and the Beast – Unicorn Theatre, Alice in Wonderland – Northampton Theatre Royal). It is directed by Tamsin Fessey (The Black Curtain, Moonfleet), with robin and fox puppets created by Polly Beestone (Beauty and the Beast – Unicorn Theatre) and original music by Tom Ball (from the band Marthas and Arthurs). The costumes and sets are designed by Jodie Gardner, who returned to her college, AUCB, in Bournemouth, where students made the costumes. Mary Lennox is played by Ashleigh Cheadle (Blind Summit, Complicite). Angel Exit regulars Lynne Forbes, Simon Carroll-Jones and Henry Douthwaite, are joined by new company member Max Macintosh.
“They delighted and astonished the packed audience with the extraordinary vision and energy of the work.” –BLACKMORE VALE MAGAZINE (on Moonfleet)
The Secret Garden is co-produced by Dorchester Arts and Bridport Arts Centre and co-commissioned by Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts and Activate. It is funded by Arts Council England, and the design of the production was paid for through a crowd funding campaign on the We Fund website.
In Dorchester the company will be joined by members of Dorchester Youth Theatre who will perform in the prologue to the show evoking the sights and sounds of India in 1899.
The Secret Garden will be performing at the Dorchester’s Corn Exchange on Thursday 5, Friday 6 and Saturday 7 January at 7pm + Saturday matinee 2pm – to book tickets, contact Dorchester Arts 01305 266926 or Tourist Information Office 01305 267992 or book online
For further information, visit www.angelexit.co.uk
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