Going to see "Miss Myrtle's Garden" at the Bush Theatre felt like a warm hug, especially if you've ever dealt with a loved one losing their memory. This new play, written by Danny James King and directed by Taio Lawson, really focuses on family. It gently shows how precious memories can fade, but how love can still stay strong.
The play does a great job of making you laugh out loud one minute and then feeling deeply touched the next – that shows how skilled King is as a writer.
The story is all about the amazing Miss Myrtle, played by Diveen Henry. She's a strong woman with a sharp tongue, but she's always loving towards her husband, Melrose, played by Mensah Beniako. Their grandson, Rudy (Michael Ahomka-Lindsay), along with his friend Jason (Elander Moore), and the funny Local Drunk Eddie (Gary Liburn), all tell stories about love, sadness, and learning how to live life. Miss Myrtle herself really wants to live in the present and not be troubled by memories from the past.
What's really special about this play is how it openly shows queer love and how people can have different ideas about things depending on their life experiences. It feels just right for Pride Month, sharing a message of understanding and growth.
The acting from everyone is truly beautiful. The connections between the characters feel real, both the romantic ones and the family ones. While everyone is great, the story of Michael Ahomka-Lindsay's Rudy and Elander Moore's Jason especially stands out. The way Mensah Beniako's Ruby and Diveen Henry's Melrose are shown is very welcoming and shows how, even with problems, people can love each other for who they are and shouldn't change themselves.
"Miss Myrtle's Garden" is a warm, clever, and very touching play. It uses the past not to weigh us down, but to help us look forward to a hopeful future.
Miss Myrtle's Garden is at the Bush Theatre until 12 July.
Photos: Camilla Greenwell