| Globe's
'garden' bountiful Nick Miliokas The Leader-Post Monday, December 8, 2003 Globe Theatre's reputation for staging outstanding productions for the holiday season continues to grow, much like the "plant life" in its current show, The Secret Garden. This is not surprising, given that Globe Theatre itself is very much like a garden, although hopefully not a secret one. To pass through the gates - excuse me, the doors - into this fertile space, particularly at this time of year, is to leave reality behind and enter a magical world that truly is limited only by the imaginations of the performers, designers, and technicians. As she was saying the other day, artistic director Ruth Smillie believes that "what you grow depends on what you're growing it in." She was speaking of the message in Marsha Norman's and Lucy Simon's musical version the the Frances Hodgson Burnett novel. But she could just as easily have been talking about theatre itself - and she might well have said: "What you grow depends not only on what you're growing it in, but what you're growing it with." The nutrients in this case inclued the invaluable contribution of Wes Pearce, who designed the set and the costumes, and of Michael Whitfield, who lit the show. Two things are especially impressive with respect to the (period) costumes rendered in the styles of the early 20th century. One is the way they retain an element of India in colonial times, long after the action has shifted to England. The other is the use of earthy (brown) shades early in the show, to suggest a dormant, untended garden, then the gradual introduction of lush (green) tones, to mark its slow steady growth - and finally primary colours when the garden bursts into full bloom at the show's conclusion. Minimalist by necessity, the set consists of three platforms. Tha tallest of these revolves, and is used throughout the show, not only at one or two climactic moments, as often happens with "special effects," for lack of a better term. The lighting serves as a subtle guide, taking the audience from one location to another, and to another, and to another in a show that has many scene changes. This is also a show that seems to be in perpetual motion. Because of the set (platforms, including a level that revolves) and the scene changes (numerous), the movement is constant. Walking is tricky. Dancing, trickier still. The fact that it all comes off with nary a hint of Keystone Kops - never mind that it's absolutley elegant - is a credit to choreographer Tracy Houser and of course to the performers. The performers are multi-talented. They simply have to be. The musical version of The Secret Garden demands it - especially for a production in which the size of the cast has been cut to a baker's dozen, as Smillie has done for this one. Without exception, the characterizations are vivid - and the vocal range, in what amounts to light opera, is outstanding. Although they have taken on multiple roles, Julia Jamison, Stella Salido Porter, Scott Lancastle, Renee Brad, Greg Campbell, Duncan Stewart, Tracy Michailidis, Anne McGrath, Geoffrey Whynot and Matthew Cassidy deserve recognition and praise as individuals. The music for this production of The Secret Garden was arranged by Allan Rae and is performed by musical director Allison Hui on keyboards in the "loft" and by cellist Bruce Radmacher at stage level. Tatiana Maslany drives this poignant piece, which tells of a young girl orphaned in India by the cholera epidemic and relocated to England where her idealism resotres an abandoned garden and changes for the better the people around her, most notably that of a bed-ridden cousin (a part played in alternating performances by Addison Becker and Zach Phair). Much is demanded of Maslany - and she delivers. While her portrayal of Mary Lennox is a glowing tribute largely to the talents of this rising star, one of our own, it is also a compliment to the environment that nurtured her. Indeed the warm and fuzzy feeling in a show that deals with serious topics is due at least in part to the obvious chemistry amongst a cast that consists of friends from afar and performers who were "grown" right here in Regina. For that reason alone, Globe Theatre's production of The Secret Garden is worthy of your support. But rest assured that it's one hell of a good show as well. © Copyright 2003 The Leader-Post (Regina) |