Trowbridge Amateur Operatic Society.

The Secret Garden - May 2008

With a cast of thirteen women and thirteen men plus a strong chorus, this is not an easy musical to stage, but T.A.O.S. presented it extremely well. It has numerous scenes, but thanks to the Director Paul Butler’s clever design it worked well with continuity from one location to another.

The Orchestra under the Musical Direction of Helen Bilkey was well balanced but at times were too loud when playing under dialogue.

The lighting was well controlled but the sound at times was not.

The chorus and principals’ singing was of a very high standard and there were some great individual performances.

Among them were Teresa Bray as Lily Craven singing beautifully and Sean Andrews giving a powerful and convincing performance as Archibald Craven and also singing extremely well.

Sam Bunce made a good Dickon and Andrew Smith proved to be a good actor as Colin Craven. His outbursts of frustration and anger was very well done.

Leonie Harrison was superb as Martha. Her acting and singing was of a very high standard.

The other members of the cast all did exceptionally well but the star who shone most brilliant was Fencesca Scott as Mary Lennox. Her clear strong voice in both dialogue and singing was exceptional and she portrayed the part with great confidence throughout. A beautiful performance.

T.A.O.S has achieved another success and should be congratulated for it.

Alec J. Ruddick.
N.O.D.A. Regional Representative.