Review: MISS MYRTLE’S GARDEN, Bush Theatre
Photo credit: Camilla Greenwell
Miss Myrtle loves her garden. She also loves her cat Sarah, her husband Melrose and her grandson Rudy, but she seems to be losing them all. As the play opens, she’s looking for her cat and her growing concern leads Rudy to try to help; but things are not quite as they seem. He soon finds out that life for his Nan is not how it used to be, and there doesn’t seem to be much he can do about it. The situation suddenly becomes much more serious and Rudy takes up the offer of living on the top floor of the house with his partner Jason.
Danny James King’s play is written with truth, economy and great warmth. He deals with issues of aging, dementia and generational divide with delicacy and understanding, not least in his introduction of neighbour Eddie, as lonely in his own way as Myrtle and longing to go home to Ireland. Gary Lilburn is totally convincing in the role and manages to make his drunken homecomings both sympathetic and convincing.
As Myrtle’s husband Melrose, Mensah Bediako has a quiet strength as he tries to cope with the wife he seems to be losing to dementia. The younger couple are played by Michael Ahomka-Lindsay as schoolteacher Rudy and Elander Moore as his fashion stylist boyfriend. Both totally nail their characters and they are nicely differentiated, with the bookish teacher contrasted with the more unsettled Jason. Despite their differences, we totally believe in the strength of their relationship.
At the centre of the play, and the audience’s attention, is the indomitable Myrtle, played by Diveen Henry. Hers is a remarkable performance: still, quiet, always watchful and yet with an emptiness behind the eyes. She dominates the action but for all the right reasons, and we feel her sadness, her confusion and her longing for the past.
The play is directed with sensitivity and skill by Bush incoming Artistic Director Taio Lawson. On a clever set by Khadija Raza, this impressive production also features sudden blasts of music and sound (Dan Balfour), often in complete darkness, that help to underline the disruption that Myrtle is feeling.
In some ways, it’s a post-lockdown play, with our current ways of interacting, or not, creating tensions in long-term relationships. It’s also about families, and fathers, as well as the central theme of dementia, handled with great care and totally convincing to the many of us in the audience who have lived through versions of this experience. It’s also very funny at times, but the laughter comes from reality and recognition.
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.
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Chris Abbott
Miss Myrtle’s Garden plays at London’s Bush Theatre until 12 July, with further info here.