Venue: Claremont Landscape Garden
Dates: The group are on tour at venues across the South East this summer, including the OSO Arts Centre in Barnes (July 22); West Horsley Place (August 20).
Jane McGowan discovers that some secrets are meant to be shared...
OUR VERDICT:
There could be no venue more fitting to stage an outdoor production of The Secret Garden than Claremont Landscape Garden on the outskirts of Esher. Nestled between a wooded glade and a splendid crystal blue lake, more than 250 people settled – picnics and blankets at the ready – to watch a group of five dancers (accompanied by two musicians) recreate the children’s classic by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
Playing multiple roles, the performers led by the very talented Hulya Levent, who is also an artistic director, beautifully told the story which follows Mary, an orphan, who, following the death of her mother, is compelled to leave her carefree life in India to live in her uncle’s damp and dreary mansion. But unbeknown to Mary, the house – and garden – hide a stash of secrets just waiting to be unlocked.
The original score by Adam Kornas perfectly captures each scene – from Mary’s foreboding encounters with housekeeper Mrs Medlock to the joyful revelation of what lies beyond the iron gates as the children’s youthful vigour brings warmth and colour back to the garden.
The choreography by Nina Monteiro, which mixes classical ballet with contemporary moments, not only highlights the characters’ personalities but also cleverly enables the dancers to showcase their considerable abilities both on the small stage and on the grassy area immediately in front.
The ballet was beautifully danced throughout, with Chloe Clark and Alice Oakley-Jones both demonstrating some splendid pointe work. At the same time, Kamal Singh and Ryan Upton’s leaps and pirouettes drew gasps of appreciation from the crowd.
The live music delivered by Daniel Swani on flute and Magdalina Vutova on violin certainly added to the magic, bringing an ethereal, otherworldliness to the production.
The set worked wonderfully in terms of the narrative, and on a warm summer’s evening, it melded perfectly with the Surrey surrounds.
New Creations Collective is a Kent-based dance company using ‘classical and contemporary art forms to tell timeless, hope-inspiring stories’. The aim is to bring accessible dance and performance to spaces outside the theatre setting. And it is certainly a company to keep your eye on.
Aimed at a family audience, the 60-minute show fairly rattled along and was enchanting and entertaining enough to keep the many children present enthralled throughout.
