Review: Tom’s Midnight Garden at Sheffield Lyceum

There are so many ways to encourage young imaginations - music, literature and theatre to name just three.
London, UK. 14.12.2012. Birmingham Stage Company presents TOM'S MIDNIGHT GARDEN at the Bloomsbury Theatre. Adapted for the stage by David Wood, from the book by Philippa Pearce, and directed by Neal Foster. Lighting design by Jason Taylor. Set and costume design by Jackie Trousdale. Picture shows: Caitlin Thorburn (Hatty) and David Tute (Tom). Photo credit: Jane Hobson.London, UK. 14.12.2012. Birmingham Stage Company presents TOM'S MIDNIGHT GARDEN at the Bloomsbury Theatre. Adapted for the stage by David Wood, from the book by Philippa Pearce, and directed by Neal Foster. Lighting design by Jason Taylor. Set and costume design by Jackie Trousdale. Picture shows: Caitlin Thorburn (Hatty) and David Tute (Tom). Photo credit: Jane Hobson.
London, UK. 14.12.2012. Birmingham Stage Company presents TOM'S MIDNIGHT GARDEN at the Bloomsbury Theatre. Adapted for the stage by David Wood, from the book by Philippa Pearce, and directed by Neal Foster. Lighting design by Jason Taylor. Set and costume design by Jackie Trousdale. Picture shows: Caitlin Thorburn (Hatty) and David Tute (Tom). Photo credit: Jane Hobson.

There are so many ways to encourage young imaginations - music, literature and theatre to name just three.

It is a masterly combination of this trio which really brings Tom’s Midnight Garden to life at Sheffield’s Lyceum theatre this week.

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This childhood favourite is transformed into an amazing journey for children during which they have to rely on their own imaginations for the most wonderous sights.

The stage set is kept simple yet given a sprinkling of ingenious innovation as the instruments are continually used as extra props - eg violin parts transformed into a spiky cactus.

Some younger children might find the addition of time travel with simple sets a bit confusing but this play is really well done and ideal for older primary school ages.

All the actors were impressive - they made us laugh and left some people in tears.

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This production is very clever in many ways and creates a magical evening.

An enormous grandfather clock ticks throughout the show offering a wonderful focus - we’d be happy to see this play again and again.

If only time travel was real!

Tom’s Midnight Garden runs at the Lyceum until Saturday, February 8. It will be staged at Nottingham’s Theatre Royal from April 8-12.

LIZZIE PAYNE