YORK THEATRE ROYAL ANNOUNCES MAJOR REVIVAL OF
THE SECRET GARDEN – THE MUSICAL
DIRECTED BY TONY AWARD-WINNER JOHN DOYLE
With the world premiere of Debbie Isitt’s Military Wives – The Musical about to open, York Theatre Royal today announces a major revival of the critically acclaimed Broadway hit The Secret Garden – The Musical with music by Lucy Simon and book and lyrics by Pulitzer Prize-winner Marsha Norman. The production will be directed by Tony Award-winning Director John Doyle, who makes a welcome return to the theatre where he served as Artistic Director from 1993 to 1997.
Based on Frances Hodgson Burnett’s beloved classic, The Secret Garden, this new revival opens at York Theatre Royal on 19 March 2026, with previews from 17 March, and runs until 4 April.
The original Broadway production premiered at the St. James Theatre in 1991 to widespread critical acclaim, going on to win three Tony Awards and three Drama Desk Awards.
Director John Doyle said today, “I’m thrilled to be returning to York Theatre Royal and equally thrilled to be directing this beautiful, hopeful musical.”
Paul Crewes, CEO of York Theatre Royal, said today, “It is wonderful to have John Doyle return to York Theatre Royal and direct this beautiful Yorkshire story. We are excited that this will be a fresh take on this critically acclaimed musical, and that our audiences will be the first to experience it.”
The show goes on sale to York Theatre Royal members from 1 pm on 8 September, with tickets going on general sale from 1 pm on 13 September.
York Theatre Royal presents
THE SECRET GARDEN – THE MUSICAL
Book and Lyrics by Marsha Norman
Music by Lucy Simon
Director: John Doyle
17 March – 4 April 2026
North Yorkshire, 1906.
Newly orphaned, Mary Lennox is sent to the moors to live with her widower uncle. Arriving at the secluded Misselthwaite Manor, Mary finds the house inhabited by memories and spirits from the past.
When she discovers her Aunt Lily’s mysterious, neglected garden, Mary is determined to breathe new life into it. With the help of her new friends, she learns the power of connection and the restorative magic of nature.
Directed by Tony Award-winner John Doyle and brought to life by a cast of actor-musicians, this is a moving and timeless story of love, loss, healing and hope.
The production is sponsored by Myth Drinks.
John Doyle is an award-winning director of theatre, film and opera. He has served as Artistic Director of five major theatre companies in the UK and the US, including York Theatre Royal from 1993 to 1997. His extensive stage credits include the world premiere of Alfred Hitchcock Presents at Theatre Royal Bath, Sweeney Todd (Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical), Company (Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical), The Visit (Tony Award nomination for Best Musical, Drama Desk nomination for Best Director), The Color Purple (Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical, Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Director, Grammy Award), Pacific Overtures (Drama Desk nomination for Best Musical Revival), Carmen Jones (Audelco Award for Best Musical Revival, Lucille Lortel nomination for Best Director), Mahagonny (Los Angeles Opera, two Grammy Awards), Passion (Drama Desk nomination for Best Director), Road Show, The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Kiss Me Kate and Assassins (Lucille Lortel nomination for Best Musical Revival, Best Director). In addition to numerous credits in London’s West End, John has also directed at Grange Park Opera, Sydney Opera House, the Metropolitan Opera, Houston Grand Opera, La Fenice in Venice, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Second Stage Theatre, Princeton McCarter Theatre and Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park.
Marsha Norman is an award-winning playwright, screenwriter and novelist. She received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, the Hull-Warriner Award and the Drama Desk Award for her play ’night, Mother. She won the Tony Award and the Drama Desk Award for Best Book of a Musical for The Secret Garden, and received a Tony Award nomination for The Color Purple. Her plays include Getting Out, Traveler in the Dark, Sarah and Abraham, Trudy Blue and The Master Butchers Singing Club. For television, she won the Peabody Award for HBO’s In Treatment and has also written for Law & Order: Criminal Intent, as well as numerous films. She is co-chair of the Playwriting Department at The Juilliard School and the recipient of the William Inge Distinguished Lifetime Achievement in Theatre Award.
Lucy Simon is a Grammy Award-winning composer. She made her Broadway debut with The Secret Garden, for which she was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Original Score and a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music. She later composed the score for Doctor Zhivago, with lyrics by Michael Korie and Amy Powers and a book by Michael Weller, which premiered at La Jolla Playhouse before going on to major productions in Australia and on Broadway. Her theatre work also includes songs for the Off-Broadway revue A… My Name is Alice. Beyond the stage, she released two solo albums for RCA Records and composed the celebrated setting of Wynken, Blynken and Nod. With her husband, David Levine, she won two Grammy Awards for Best Recording for Children for In Harmony/A Sesame Street Record and In Harmony 2.
LISTINGS
THE SECRET GARDEN – THE MUSICAL
York Theatre Royal
St Leonard’s Place, York YO1 7HD
Box Office: 01904 623568
Age guidance: 10+
Performance Dates and Times:
Tue 17 Mar, 7.30pm
Wed 18 Mar, 7.30pm – Post Show Discussion
Thu 19 Mar, 2pm & 7pm – Press Performance
Fri 20 Mar, 7.30pm
Sat 21 Mar, 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Mon 23 Mar, 6.30pm
Tue 24 Mar, 7.30pm
Wed 25 Mar, 7.30pm
Thu 26 Mar, 2pm & 7.30pm
Fri 27 Mar, 7.30pm – British Sign Language Interpreted Performance
Sat 28 Mar, 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Mon 30 Mar, 6.30pm
Tue 31 Mar, 7.30pm
Wed 1 Apr, 2pm & 7.30pm – Audio Described Performance
Thu 2 Apr, 2pm & 7.30pm
Sat 4 Apr, 2.30pm- Captioned Performance & 7.30pm
MILITARY WIVES – THE MUSICAL
10 September – 27 September 2025
SLEEPING BEAUTY
2 December 2025 – 4 January 2026
THE LAST PICTURE
5 February – 14 February 2026
THE SECRET GARDEN – THE MUSICAL
17 March – 4 April 2026
THE PSYCHIC
29 April – 23 May 2026
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