The Secret Garden Experience for children has been so popular it’s been extended until September.
The much-loved family classic by Frances Hodgson Burnett has been brought to life in a unique and thrilling way with special Secret Garden Experience boxes filled with surprises and activities delivered to the doors of families.
“What an experience it was indeed! An immersive world of storytelling like no other”
The brainchild of Wizard Presents in partnership with Oxford Playhouse and Watford Palace Theatre, youngsters all over Oxfordshire are now reaping the benefits.
Here is what our reviewer Nimi Cooper and her six year old daughter Sophia, who reviewed it for us, said:
“What an experience it was indeed! An immersive world of storytelling like no other.”
“My daughter loved every second of it! The story was captivating and created true moments of wonder for us both”
“My six year old daughter was overwhelmed with excitement when our intriguing box of beautifully presented parcels arrived. She patiently waited a few days to open episode one so we could fully embrace the experience during half term.
“It included eight gripping podcast episodes, a beautifully crafted ‘Secret Box’ delivered directly to our house and eight activities relating to each episode of the story, together with a key.
“The key, which I hid at home for Sophia to discover, unlocked exclusive and magical digital content, including online games, challenges and website features.
“The intriguing parcels were created with so much thought and stunning detail and bought so much joy. Every morning Sophia was bursting with excitement to see what treats she would receive – it felt like a week long Christmas. She thoroughly enjoyed the crafts, games and trinkets involved and is still engaging with them post experience.
“I was sceptical about how she would embrace the audio stories as this is something she has never done before, so each day we laid in the garden with our eyes closed (weather permitting) listening intently to each episode, allowing our imaginations to run wild.
“She loved every second of it! The story was captivating and created true moments of wonder for us both.”
The added digital elements of the experience propelled us into a fully immersive world of delight, adding another dimension. We cannot wait for the sequel!”
Praise indeed! Sophia was of course listening to the story of a young girl, Mary Lennox, who leaves India to live with her uncle in Yorkshire.
The Secret Garden Experience’s audio episodes are performed by Danyah Miller, with soundscape and music by composer Arun Ghosh. Online digital content includes games, augmented reality and hands-on activities from clay-modelling and skipping games to bee house building and writing a letter to a friend.
A Pay it Forward scheme also offers bookers an option to add an extra £10 to the cost of a Secret Garden Experience to help provide the same Experience for someone who would otherwise be unable to afford it.
Tickets for The Secret Garden Experience from The Oxford Playhouse start at £25 and are available from the Ticket Office on 01865 305305 or book online at www.oxfordplayhouse.com.
