Book and Lyrics: Marsha Norman
Music: Lucy Simon
Director: John Doyle
The Secret Garden is a musical based on the 1911 novel of the same name by Frances Hodgson Burnett. The musical’s script and lyrics were crafted by Marsha Norman, with music composed by Lucy Simon. It premiered on Broadway in 1991, enjoying a successful run of 709 performances.
The musical initially debuted as a staged reading at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York, during the summer of 1989. This production was facilitated by the Capital Repertory Theatre and directed by R.J. Cutler, who later directed its world premiere at the Wells Theatre in Norfolk, Virginia. This Virginia Stage Company production ran from 28 November to 17 December 1989.
A significantly revised version was later produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company at Stratford-upon-Avon between 13 November 2000 and 27 January 2001, during which it broke box office records. The narrative centres around Mary Lennox (Estella Evans), a sickly ten-year-old English girl who has spent most of her life in isolation in India. Following a devastating cholera outbreak that claims the lives of her parents and many others she knew, including her Ayah, Mary is sent to live with her enigmatic uncle Archibald Craven (Henry Jenkinson) in Yorkshire.
Archibald Craven is portrayed as a reclusive hunchback mourning his late wife Lily’s death. Due to his withdrawn nature, management of his grand manor house – Misselthwaite Manor – is largely entrusted to his manipulative brother Dr Neville Craven (André Refig). Upon arrival, Mary is met with cold indifference from Mrs Medlock (Elizabeth Marsh), the housekeeper.
Throughout the musical, themes of grief and renewal are explored as Mary encounters ghosts from both her own past and that of Archibald’s family. These spectral figures serve as narrators throughout the story. As Mary adapts to her new surroundings amidst loneliness and mischief, she discovers a hidden walled garden locked away since Lily’s passing – a symbol both haunting and hopeful within this evocative adaptation.
This production boasts a stunningly talented cast, each member demonstrating exceptional skill as multi-instrumentalists, singers, and storytellers who are clearly at the pinnacle of their craft. Their focus and intensity permeate the performance, with many actors remaining on stage throughout, maintaining a captivating presence. Notably, the child cast featuring Estella Evans and Dexter Pulling deliver confident and assured portrayals of the children’s roles, exhibiting vocal performances that far exceed expectations for their ages.
Lucy Simon’s music is both beautiful and haunting; however, it tends to become somewhat repetitive over the course of the show. A greater variation in pace and tempo would have enhanced its overall impact. Meanwhile, Marsha Norman’s book and lyrics come across as clunky and heavy-handed. The narrative rushes through key plot points without sufficient nuance or development, ultimately leaving storylines unresolved by the conclusion.
Set design by John Doyle, who also directs, and David L. Arsenault does little to elevate the production. The stage feels cluttered with an excess of suitcases and sheets that restrict movement, causing performers to circle unnecessarily around cumbersome set pieces. Gabrielle Dalton’s costume design presents a perplexing choice: while the entire cast is dressed in period attire, Mary appears in contemporary jeans and a T-shirt. This incongruity detracts from the cohesion of the visual storytelling.
Overall, while individual performances shine brightly within this rendition of The Secret Garden, certain creative decisions regarding music composition, scriptwriting, set design, and costuming hinder its full theatrical potential.
Runs until 4th April 2026
The Reviews Hub Star Rating
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4
