Presented by Next Stage Youth
Tuesday 29th October - Saturday 2nd November at 7.30pm with a matinee at 2pm on Saturday 2nd
“Dear Peter, something interesting and out of the ordinary has happened. Last night it was really, really late. All quiet and still. I lay awake as usual and suddenly the old grandfather clock struck 13!” (Tom, Act I)
It’s the 1950’s and Tom has been sent away in quarantine to stay in his Aunt and Uncle’s old house whilst his brother, Peter, recovers from measles. Bored and resentful, Tom is anxious to return home until, one night when the clock strikes 13, he slips out of bed and opening the garden door steps into a beautiful 1880’s Victorian garden. Excitedly exploring this new world, Tom discovers that he is invisible to its occupants apart from a little girl called Hatty.
Philippa Pearce’s classic time-fantasy has been cleverly adapted for the stage by David Wood to bring to family audiences a piece of theatre that will delight all. A special friendship develops between Tom and Hatty as they share fun and adventures together in the magical garden. When Tom steps back into the 1880’s and enters Hatty’s world at midnight he meets her at various stages of her young life, but not always in conventional time sequence. Although enjoying quite lengthy visits to the garden, when Tom returns to his world it seems he has only been away a few minutes. Ultimately the children’s friendship touches more lives than just their own, with both Hatty and Tom coming to understand the pleasures and heartaches associated with growing up.
In the 25 years of Next Stage Youth’s existence, this premier Bath Theatre company for 11-18 year olds has performed many outstanding productions. To celebrate its Silver Anniversary in October the current youth company hope that its staging of Tom’s Midnight Garden will continue this fine tradition and be a memorable 25th Birthday show. We anticipate that the play, staged in the Autumn half-term, will be a sell-out show for all to enjoy.
Cast:
Rehearsal Photos:
