Tom's Midnight Garden: A BBC Radio Full-Cast Dramatisation

by Judy Allen (Adapter), Philippa Pearce, Peter England (Narrator)

Peter England, Una Stubbs and Crawford Logan star in this BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation of Philippa Pearce’s enchanting time-slip tale.

When his brother catches measles, Tom is sent away to stay with his Aunt Gwen and Uncle Alan, and is thoroughly fed up about it. What a boring summer it’s going to be! But tedium turns to adventure when, lying in bed one night, he hears the old grandfather clock in the hall strike thirteen. What can it mean? As Tom creeps downstairs and opens the door, he finds a beautiful garden, and glimpses a girl in old-fashioned clothing. As he revisits the garden over the next few nights, he watches the seasons change from spring to autumn, and children come and go. But no-one seems to see him – until he meets Hatty, and the two become firm friends. With his new playmate, Tom embarks on the adventure of a lifetime...

This magical drama stars Peter England as Tom, with Una Stubbs as Aunt Gwen and Crawford Logan as Uncle Alan. The wonder and excitement of much-loved children’s classics lives on in BBC Radio’s acclaimed full-cast dramatisations, complete with evocative music and sound effects. Duration: 2 hours 15 mins approx.

Genres: Audiobook, Fiction, Childrens, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Middle Grade, Classics

2 pages, Audio CD

Published August 1, 2018

About the author

Judy Allen is an award-winning author whose novel Awaiting Developments was short-listed for the Whitbread Children's Novel Award.

Judy Allen, along with illustrator Tudor Humphries, created Kingfisher's award-winning Backyard Books series and many other successful books, including the Reading Rainbow selections Tiger and Seal.

Reviews

[Love of Hopeless Causes · Rating 2 out of 5]

If plot is a riddle, this doesn't deliver on the riddle's best solution. A prime example of why book party fouls exist, even if they are well managed. . . time travel tales are almost all duds. Even in a tale with this much tension, they can't pay off. Hattie was never married to Tom, so we can feel warm and fuzzy that they were friends, and most of us can only dream of having such a friendship, but it's not what people want from the plot. This tale fails in terms of inevitability. It seems to be pointing somewhere, but we only get a consolation prize.

Step away from the emotion and give this a critical eye. Two children are lonely so they cross time to meet each other, even though there are other people around. They become friends and get each other in trouble, then spend the rest of their days trying to sort what happened.

In real life this would suck. It's the kind of behavior that makes people go to seances, join strange cults, and become hoarders. This story works on the basic emotional level, but not on the true wish fulfillment level. How could anyone else's affections compare to Tom's supernatural friendship? Yet Hattie didn't even believe enough to keep the flats from being built. In story terms, this is a mess. And I am still allergic to clocks and gears.

[Kellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very charming. A great part of my five stars go to this particular edition. It is an audiobook with a full cast. It is such a delightful one to listen to! I found it on Overdrive.

[Diana Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely<3

[Cary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I watched the movie version of this years ago, and I remember enjoying it. I think the book was much better. It had the magic and wonder of a children's story, with the adult relate-able perspective of Tom's Uncle Alan and Aunt Gwen, and especially Mrs. Bartholomew. It was really heartbreaking to experience the distance growing between Tom and Hattie as time passed between them. Also, the magic of Tom and Mrs. Bartholomew's relationship and the restoration and sense of closure they both received. I found it to be very emotional.

[&#x1f336; peppersocks &#x1f9e6; · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reflections and lessons learned:
“13….? 13?!”

I do remember this programme! I’m not a natural fan of supernatural style science fiction unless injected with frippery and humour - in the late 80s this was viewed by a young me with concern and slight fear but listening to this play, that’s more background noise to the connection between friends - still a bit oooo, but now viewed with more ahhh…!

“I’ve always seen you…!”

[Cheryl Hager · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pick for a "book about a hobby". I like gardening. I like secret gardens. This book didn't have much actual gardening going on, but I'm going to keep it anyway. Bit of a tear-jearker toward the end.

[naga · Rating 3 out of 5]

audiobook thoughts (3 stars): it feels like a movie. i think it is a movie. bbc dramatization of the book, if i'm not wrong. it was fun! but since everything is so fast and my attention span is currently very low, i can't catch up with things. will write more once i finished the book.

[Elizabeth Meadows · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this BBC Radio production! I'm always a sucker for a time travel story and this one is superb. Highly recommended.

[Samneang · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story reminds me a lot of Dr. Who's episode of Madame de Pompadour. I really enjoyed the audiobook with its full cast too!

[غنية · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Df-HT...

[Gem ✿Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ✿ · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderfully charming story, right up there with A Secret Garden for me. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants a quick read that is uplifting.

[Heather]

Read it with my 6th grade class. It was a little confusing, but all in all a fun read. They got really into it!