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What mysteries are behind the wall in the South Simcoe Theatre’s production of The Secret Garden

November 8, 2024   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

What secrets are behind the wall that leads to a forgotten garden on an English estate at the turn of the 20th century?

Based on the classic children’s novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, the South Simcoe Theatre’s production of The Secret Garden is a full-blown musical extravaganza with a large talented cast and a gifted orchestra.

Written by Marsha Norman with music by Lucy Simon, this is the story of a young girl named Mary who was raised in British India by uncaring parents who let the servants take over parental responsibilities.

When the parents die during a cholera epidemic, Mary is taken back to England to live on the estate of her Uncle Archibald Craven.

Mary, played by Sophie Warren, isn’t happy about her new living arrangements which she finds restrictive and she thinks the mansion is haunted.

In the role of Uncle Archibald, Connor Jesso, a man haunted by the memory of his deceased wife, has little interest in accommodating Mary. He leaves the mansion to live in another place.

Archibald’s brother, Dr. Neville Craven, played by Nolan Richards, takes command of the household in his absence.

The mansion is indeed haunted, as the spirit of Archibald’s wife, Lily, watches over everything.

In the role of Lily, Laura Hamstra, is ever present but unseen by those around her. Ms. Hamstra delivers several songs on her own, with a beautiful style and voice.

Mary notices a wall on the property that divides the estate from a garden. She eventually finds the key to the garden gate and sees the garden in a sad state, unkempt and dying.

One night, Mary discovers her cousin Colin, who lives in a hidden bedroom on the estate.

As Colin, Chase Mlinaric, is a sickly boy who never leaves his room and is confined to his bed. Colin is a spoiled child who makes demands of the servants and flies into a tantrum if they don’t immediately obey him.

Mary takes Colin to the garden and encourages him to stand and enjoy being outside. She is convinced he is not really sick.

In the garden, Mary and Colin meet Ben Weatherstaff, played by John Palmer. Ben is the groundskeeper who used to tend the garden.

Ben shows Mary and Colin the tree that Lily fell from, causing her death years earlier.

Now that they have discovered what is beyond the gate, what can they do to save the garden, and themselves?

The South Simcoe Theatre’s production of The Secret Garden is lively, musical, and very well done with a talented cast of 23, and a full orchestra. Costume coordinator Valerie Burke has done a superb job of re-creating the period.

The Secret Garden will be on The South Simcoe Theatre stage through November 17, with performances on Fridays and Saturdays, and a matinee performance on Sundays.

For more information and tickets, visit the Theatre’s website at www.thesouthsimcoetheatre.com.

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