The Barn Theatre is delighted to announce The Secret Garden as its inaugural professional production. Opening on March 16, and running until April 15, the production marks the culmination of three years of planning, rebuilding and technical development for the Cirencester-based, 200-seat venue.
The Barn Theatre has received tremendous industry support in the run-up to its opening, with high profile ambassadors including actors James Dreyfus, Matthew Kelly, Heida Reed, Daisy May Cooper and Broadway director Jerry Mitchell lending their support to the project’s ambitious aims.
[caption id=“attachment_36272” align=“aligncenter” width=“725”]
David Haydn (Archibald Craven) with Jaimie Pruden (Lily Craven)[/caption]
The Secret Garden is a Tony Award-winning musical based on the 1911 book by Frances Hodgson Burnett. The musical’s script and lyrics are by Pulitzer prize winning playwright, Marsha Norman with a score by Lucy Simon. The musical originally premiered on Broadway in 1991 going on to win 3 Tony Awards. Dominic Shaw, who has previously worked on several West End Shows including Beautiful - The Carole King Musical; Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Legally Blonde and currently, Kinky Boots will be directing the musical for The Barn Theatre with casting to be announced shortly.
The musical tells the story of 10 year old Mary Lennox, an English girl who has lived in India since birth, and is orphaned and sent back to England to live with her remaining relatives in a manor house in Yorkshire. There Mary discovers a house in mourning and a mysterious, neglected garden. With the help of the friends she makes at Misselthwaite, Mary helps restore not only the garden but the family themselves who are rejuvenated by her presence and heal their grief through love and hope.
[caption id=“attachment_36269” align=“aligncenter” width=“756”]
Daniella Piper (Mary Lennox) and Celeste De Veazey (Colin Craven)[/caption]
Dominic Shaw, Director of The Secret Garden, said: “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to direct a new interpretation of The Secret Garden. I plan to completely reimagine the piece and make it more accessible for a contemporary audience. The musical explores themes of love, family and rejuvenation - all themes which draw parallels and seem fitting for the opening of a brand new theatre.”
Jerry Mitchell, Broadway Director of Pretty Woman and The Musical and Ambassador of The Barn Theatre, added: “I couldn’t be more excited about The Barn Theatre and its plans. Having worked with both Iwan and Dom on various productions, it’s great to see them now forging their own path as young leaders in the industry. It’s a very positive thing to see a new generation of artists come through. To watch the energy with which they are approaching the opening of the new theatre and the first production is fantastic.”
[caption id=“attachment_36275” align=“aligncenter” width=“735”]
Steffan Rizzi (Ensemble) with Jaimie Pruden (Lily Craven), in background Jamie Ross (Ensemble)[/caption]
Iwan Lewis, Artistic Director of The Barn Theatre, finalised: “We are delighted to announce The Secret Garden as our first professional production. Dominic’s fearless approach really chimes with what we’re trying to achieve and we’re delighted to have him on board.”
[gallery td_select_gallery_slide=“slide” td_gallery_title_input=“The Secret Garden” ids=“36270,36274,36271,36268,36273”]
For further information, and to purchase tickets, click here.
