The Secret Garden: Spring Version – theatre review

It was 1995 when Australia first produced the enchanting musical The Secret Garden starring Philip Quast, Anthony Warlow and Marina Prior. With book and lyrics by Pulitzer Prize-winner Marsha Norman and music by Lucy Simon, it was based upon the Victorian classic written by Frances Hodgson Burnett in the early 1900s. The Broadway production four years earlier claimed three Tony Awards, including those for Best Book of a Musical and Best Featured Actress.

Now a cut-down version aimed squarely at a younger audience is weaving its own magic, courtesy of a 29-strong cast from the Young Australian Broadway Chorus. To ease the workload, the musical features alternate casts.

I witnessed the emergence of a young star in the making, namely Hannah Simos-Garner, who brought a sassy attitude and strong vocals to the chief protagonist’s role. She plays diminutive and privileged Mary Lennox, 10, who after losing her parents to a cholera outbreak in India, is sent to live with her wealthy uncle, Archibald Craven, at a secluded British manor. Craven is a broken man after the death of his wife Lily. Their union resulted in a sickly son, Colin, who is under the care of Craven’s brother, Neville, a doctor. While sympathetic, Craven’s melancholy countenance extends over the entire estate, to which young Mary brings much-needed spark and spunk after a less than fortuitous beginning.

Her trigger to turn over a new leaf is being told about a hidden and dilapidated garden that was her aunt’s pride and joy and which her uncle has forbidden anyone from entering. Mary is determined to revive its former beauty and with it give Colin’s health a welcome boost.

There is a real energy and vitality to this production. I particularly enjoyed the chorus numbers. The new musical arrangement is for a solo piano and it works a treat. The Secret Garden Spring Version is heavy on songs. This distilled version – which has a running time of just over one and a half hours including interval – appears to have considerably reduced the dialogue. It is fast paced and, quite frankly, I wouldn’t have minded a little more discourse. Direction is from Robert Coates, musical direction from Lucy O’Brien, with choreography by Jacqui Green.

While I have already singled out Hannah Simos-Garner for well-deserved praise, there are several others worthy of mention. Among them is Jamiee Bennetts, whose sweet voice and strong stage presence makes her an unforgettable Lily. David Duketis is particularly charismatic as Dickon, who has a good nature and befriends Mary. Emily Hansford is cast as Martha Sowerby, a friendly maid and Dickon’s sister, Declan Kelly as Archibald Craven and Harrison Lane as his medico brother.

Young Australian Broadway Chorus’ production of The Secret Garden: Spring Version is playing at Southbank Theatre, The Lawler until January 30th.

Alex First