Blog Post by Kerry Gordon
Open air theatre is a wonderful and intimate way to be up close and personal with a play. The cast of 'The Secret Garden' are such accomplished performers that you feel like a character in this enchanting story rather than a spectator.
It helps when it is set in the walled garden of Powerscourt Estate, with the house looking magnificent in the background - you really do feel like you are in a secret garden!
We saw this production last weekend when Chapterhouse Theatre returned with to Ireland with 'The Secret Garden'. The atmosphere was wonderful, luckily in the sunshine, with champagne corks popping and families of all generations spread out on picnic blankets.
The music and singing was an unexpected joy in this new take of an old classic and the puppetry is a trademark of Chapterhouse and its brilliant actors.
The show itself was funny, touching and engaging and in such a beautiful setting it was impossible to not be taken away and drawn into the storytelling.
Kids were enthralled by the acting from beginning to end and I would highly recommend it as an introduction to any new theatre goers.
There was even time to pop to the Avoca shop to get some of their famous scones and tea during the interval.
Make sure you come and see them next summer. It's a really lovely afternoon which I would recommend unreservedly!
Until next time ...
Kerry
Chapterhouse Theatre Company is a professional open-air touring company committed to creating innovative, accessible productions of classic texts and stories and presenting magical theatre in magical surroundings. http://www.chapterhouse.org. The wonderfully talented cast of 'The Secret Garden' includes: Luke de Belder, Matthew Christmas, Graham Hill, Laura Kent, Eve Niker, Bryony Tebbutt
About Kerry Gordon: Kerry Gordon lives by the sea in Co. Wicklow with her daughter Molly and greyhound Lola. She is a long term blogger for Powerscourt Estate and Gardens and enjoys nothing more than visiting Powerscourt Waterfall and then going to the gardens followed by a tasty scone and pot of tea.
