The premiere of Russell Eccleston’s In An Endless Garden is a reflective drama.
Image © Black Dog Productions
The excellent duo of Alexandra Ricou and Inez Solomon-Gardner bring this new script to life with skill and create a hugely watchable debut of what will certainly reach a wider audience in time to come.
Directed by Emily Malloy, Ricou plays the mysterious person who is “waiting” for a friend in the garden.
Her physicality and directness brings humour and pain to proceedings, slowly weaving and pulling memories from the visitor played by Solomon- Gardner.
There is a sense of Beckett in the waiting and inability to answer the questions that are asked. Slowly the story is revealed as lost memories are brought to the fore in a series of flashbacks and multi-role-playing which adds to the intrigue.
The energy of both performers ensures the pace is good. The physical theatre and stage fighting is skilful and at times shocking.
Solomon-Gardner treads the difficult, endless path slowly recounting past moments with honesty and integrity.
There is much to like in this piece aside from the evocative and peaceful design; Eccleston has again proved his writing is strong and viable.
Black Dog Productions maintain their growing reputation with new work. There may still be edits needed to tighten up the final stages but this will no doubt be accomplished with ease as this play heads off to greater things.
Huge respect to this young company for continuing to hit home runs with skill and style.
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Reviewer: Petra Schofield
