York Theatre Royal – until Saturday 4th April 2026
Reviewed by Michelle Richardson
4****
York Theatre Royal’s latest production, The Secret Garden, The Musical, brings a fresh adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s beloved classic to the stage. With book and lyrics by Marsha Norman, music by Lucy Simon, and direction by John Doyle, this new version promises an exciting theatrical experience.
Attending on press night, it was wonderful to see the theatre so full, with a real sense of anticipation and energy in the air ahead of the performance.
On entering the auditorium the stage was set with a golden harp, sheets covering numerous items. Sheer material hung at the back of the stage, where you could see old stonework in the background. Once the play stage, the light stayed on as the actors entered. In silence the sheets were removed and painstakingly folded, I can remember doing exactly the same when I was younger, with my mother after the washing was done, revealing trunks, all different and scattered around. The audience were silent, you could almost hear a pin drop. Then the lights went down.
Brought to life by a cast of actor-musicians, it follows the story of Mary Lennox (Estella Evans), a young orphan. She has travelled from India to Yorkshire and Misselthwaite Manor, to the home of her Uncle Archibald (Henry Jenkinson). Her uncle is stricken with grief after the loss of his wife 10 years ago, and this grief affects the whole household. Lonely and troubled at first, she gradually finds friendship with her maid Martha (Catrin Mai Edwards) and her younger brother Dickon (a somewhat mature Elliot Mackenzie). Exploring the grounds, Mary discovers a hidden, long-locked garden that once belonged to her late aunt, Lily (Joanna Hickman). She also discovers her sickly cousin, Colin (Dexter Pulling), who is kept isolated indoors. Together, the children form a close bond and set out to uncover the garden’s secrets—leading to emotional healing and transformation for not only them, but all the household.
Jenkinson’s portrayal of Archibald was a real highlight for me. His grief came across as deeply raw and authentic, and his vocals were truly outstanding. As Lily’s ghost, Hickman appeared strikingly ethereal, gliding across the stage with her cello in tow, an impressive feat, whilst her haunting, operatic vocals lingered in the air. She made a huge impression.
The cast of actor-singer-musicians of the highest calibre, are truly exceptional and enormously talented. They move seamlessly across the stage, switching between instruments while continuing to act and sing with remarkable precision. It’s one of the finest examples of a true “triple threat” ensemble I’ve ever seen.
The costumes were all indicative to the era of the original novel, apart from Mary. She was decked out in a pair of jeans, hoodie, backpack, complete with water bottle. This choice of a contemporary outfit had me baffled, why was she dressed in such a contrast to the period costumes? There was no explanation on stage or in the program. It did get me thinking and my interpretations are Mary’s contemporary clothing signals her status as an outsider, visually separating her from the world around her. Alternatively, it allows the audience to see themselves in her shoes, bridging the classical historical story to the present day. Confusion, loss, and bewilderment are timeless and still resonate today. I really don’t know, I can just surmise.
This production ran just under 90 minutes without an interval. While this shorter runtime made it more family-friendly, it also felt a bit rushed, particularly toward the ending. From what I remember of The Secret Garden, the story usually centres on the children, but in this adaptation, the focus on angst and grief was more on the adults, especially Archibald, which shifted the story’s perspective.
The Secret Garden, The Musical, even with its flaws, is a beautiful piece of theatre that kept me enthralled from start to finish. The cast are genuinely outstanding and deserve to be seen. Playing at York Theatre Royal until Saturday 4th April, including several matinee shows during the run.
