The Secret Garden (Open Air Theatre version)

'A beautifully crafted, thoughtfully updated new version of the immortal children's novel... has a creative ebullience... a charming and lovely production which will send you out with a tear in your eye and a smile on your face'

'A gorgeously modern, enchanted adaptation... feels like something clicking satisfyingly into place... a story rich with joy and celebration... Where the original novel showed Colin learning to stand in the secret garden to earn the love of his absent father, Robinson writes a story that renders this, rightfully, unnecessary. The production is all the more magical for it... a must-see summer show for all ages. Marvellous, wise and expertly updated, it is sublime'

'This vivacious, subtly inventive new version puts the microscope on Hodgson Burnett's classic to reveal an earthy enchantment. It speaks potently to our environmentally frazzled times... It's a treat, and I'll wager this garden won't be staying secret for long'

'A sheer delight... in terms of sheer loveliness and final achievement, nothing beats this delightful new adaptation... Holly Robinson and Anna Himali Howard have hit the jackpot here, maintaining all Hodgson Burnett's key themes of a lonely and disagreeable orphan coming to life and finding friendship in nature, but cleverly amplifying the Indian side of Mary Lennox's story... book your tickets right away'

'An old-fashioned tale brought beautifully into the modern age... does a fine job at retaining the charm of the novel while making it appropriate for now... keeps adults and children alike emotionally hooked'

'Magical... an inspired reimagining, infused with knowing wit'

'Really quite enchanting... tackles the key themes head-on with nuance and kindness without ever becoming dogmatic or sanctimonious about it... a lovely, enriching show for families or adults alike'

'Magical... has the potential to excite a new generation about the wonders of the outside world... stays close to the original, while making clever updates that feel authentic and right for the narrative, and more palatable for a 2024 audience... a mystical, heartwarming and empowering evening, with each member of the audience taking a bit of magic home with them'

'Terrific... a truly memorable experience... a brilliant adaptation [that is] even punchier, crisper, funnier and more moving [than the original]... profoundly relevant for us in 2024. This Secret Garden is very much a play for today... undoubtedly the highlight of the summer. Catch it if you can'

'Lovely... a beautiful adaptation of the classic novel that truly elevates its source material... a great show for all ages'

'Wittily and deftly breathes new life into the story... a wonderful play for a secondary school aged cast, or one of mixed ages... It offers real design opportunities... for a group who can collaborate inventively, this would be a blast'