Local residents are in for a theatrical treat when the national touring production of Old Herbaceous arrives at the fully heated Theatre Marquee at Ralph Court Gardens in Edwyn Ralph, near Bromyard on 9th November. Described as “Downton Abbey with gardening tips”, Old Herbaceous is the humorous love story of a single-minded yet gentle man with a passion for plants and is a charming one man play which has entranced audiences around the country over the last three years. The production is currently in the middle of a 150-date national tour and highly acclaimed performances at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Royal Horticultural Society Arts Festival have meant that a recording for BBC Radio 4 is now planned for 2020.

As Old Herbaceous, renowned actor Giles Shenton truly lives the part of the legendary Head Gardener, Herbert Pinnegar, inviting you to feel included in a private chat from a bygone, comforting age. He succeeds in keeping his audience engrossed, amused and emotionally engaged from start to finish and the play will leave you with a feeling that, perhaps, all is right with the world.

Written by Alfred Shaughnessy, script editor and chief writer on Upstairs, Downstairs, Old Herbaceous is an acute and sometimes hilarious observation of relationships between the classes in a simpler age and is sprinkled with witticisms and epithets: ”You can’t be angry for long…not in a garden”, ”A garden is like life itself…full of good and evil”. The evening blossoms into tender humour as it unexpectedly twists into a quiet love story of sorts, much in the traditionally understated English style of the early 20th century. A delightful tale, beautifully told, it is a treat to watch and not just for garden lovers.

Coming to Ralph Court Gardens on 9th November 2019 at 7.30pm. Tickets £14.50