Leeds Playhouse – until 7 August 2021
Reviewed by Dawn Smallwood
5*****
The Performance Ensemble’s, The Promise of a Garden, in co-production with the Leeds Playhouse, Leeds Older People’s Forum and LEEDS 2023 has come to the Leeds Playhouse for four nights. With François Matarasso’s dramaturg, nature is the theme and certainly everyone can resonate with nature no matter what background, experiences and predicaments one has. The Promise of a Garden is no exception and this production deeply explores such themes and experiences.
This production works with members of the older people community who share their life and personal experiences through voice, song and dance. No experience is ever the same and the audience is able to relate and engage with the highlights and the poignancies shared.
The theme of garden and nature has a positive feeling throughout. As well as sharing experiences, artists share how nature connects them physically, spiritually, mentally and emotionally. Figurative references about the garden are shared with regards to life, nurture and growth. It acknowledges how nature and gardens have helped many though COVID-19 Pandemic and its lockdowns. Many stories, some shared in the productions, came from parks, gardens and allotments.
The stage is transformed into a flowery paradise which the flowers are design and created by many in the communities. The handmade flowers remind one and all that there are lot of stories in the community yet to be told. It complements the background visuals with images, probably belonging the ensemble, being shown.
Under the direction of Alan Lyddiard’s this production certainly promises you a garden whether it is physical or figurative or through people’s experience including the happy and sad times. The Promise of a Garden is universally created, universally staged and for a universal audience. A well delivered and choreographed production with help from every ensemble member.