We take a look at what is being said about Danny James King ‘s play, running at the theatre until the 12th July.
Broadway World: **** “Miss Myrtle’s Garden is a triumph of emotion. It’s funny and sad where appropriate, jolting where it needs to be. It could do without an interval, which doesn’t add much to the tension, but it’s otherwise accomplished.”
The Guardian: *** “At its centre is a tour-de-force performance by Diveen Henry as Miss Myrtle. Her sardonic put-downs (“being difficult is better than being easy”) paint her as a pillar of blunt-force resilience. Her sharp quips are crisply drawn, showing King’s gift for writing rich comedy. But as the scenes roll forward, it becomes heartbreakingly clear that Myrtle’s memory is faltering and she needs help.”
Everything Theatre: ***** “Miss Myrtle’s Garden is a poignant blend of wicked humour and heartrending sorrow, offering an unflinching look at the stark realities of living with dementia, while also revealing the unexpected moments of tenderness and light that can emerge amid the darkness. An outstanding première that will have a long life beyond its initial production at the Bush.”
The Arts Desk *** “Nor is it helped by Lawson’s uneven direction. Although he gets very sincere performances from the cast, and designer Khadija Raza’s flowering garden is a delight, the evening is punctuated with Dan Balfour’s ear-splitting sound effects that clash with the gentler emotions portrayed on stage. In the title role, Diveen Henry has great comic timing and perfectly portrays both the power of the matriarch and the confusion of dementia.”
Time Out: **** “What Miss Myrtle’s Garden gets so right is the way it creeps up on you: one moment you’re laughing, the next you’re holding back tears. It’s a play about the past, about what’s left unsaid, and the quiet ache to be seen.”
London Theatre 1: **** “Still, the near-complete absence of saccharine emotion in such a credible and engaging play filled with dramatic tension makes for a thoughtful and more than satisfying evening.”
The Reviews Hub: *** 1/2 “Lawson’s understated direction sits perfectly with the tone of Miss Myrtle’s Garden, making space for James King’s gently witty dialogue to air. Sound Designer Dan Balfour’s jarring urban soundscape during scene transitions delivers a pithy counterpoint to the quiet tranquillity of the garden.”
The Independent: **** “Diveen Henry is wonderful as a sharp-tongued Jamaican-British grandmother in the early stages of dementia.”
West End Best Friend: ***** “Miss Myrtle’s Garden is an absorbing and beautifully written play and with a stunning central performance surrounded by a strong cast. It’s a confident and assured production – not to be missed.”
To book tickets visit: https://www.bushtheatre.co.uk/event/miss-myrtles-garden/