Secret Heart

Synopsis

Roll Up! Roll Up! See the last ever performances of Hackenschmidt's Circus...For most people living in Helmouth, the travelling circus, down at heel and on its last legs, is little more than a side show. To Joe Maloney, a shy introverted boy who senses life holds more for him, the circus is something far greater. Once he enters the big-top, home of Corinna the young trapeze artist, Wilfred and his Dancing Dogs and the mysterious blind woman Nanty Solo, his world will never be the same. And then a tiger comes for him and Joe knows that he must lead it out into the wild forest, only then can the circus rest in peace. Secret Heart is an inspiring story of imagination and discovery, of wonder and transformation that cannot fail to delight, move or charm audiences from 9 upwards.

Our Review:

13 December 2002

Shy and introverted, young Joe Maloney (Ben McKay) plays truant from school for fear of bullying, much to the concern of his mum (Libby Davison), a single parent juggling work and home demands. Enter a travelling circus and a trapeze artist named Corinna (Asta Sighvats). With the help of Corinna and the circus troupe – not least, Wilfred and his Dancing Dogs and the mysterious blind woman Nanti Solo - Joe gains some much-needed confidence and the courage to face the demon tiger within.

Now if you think all of this sounds terribly corny and a tad patronising, you'd be right. Or almost. In fact, I am sad to report it's even worse than you could possibly imagine. The Royal Exchange's new production, Secret Heart, is based on an award-winning children's book by David Almond, but Amanda Dalton's adaptation won’t be winning any awards – it simply lacks the magic needed to make it fly.

And, while the story may have imaginative potential, [Wis Wilso...

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Latest User Review

USER: Whatsonstage.com (195.92.168.167) - 1 January 2003:

Go to the Library theatre instead, to see Tom's Midnight Garden!...

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