Opera Australia and John Frost have outdone themselves.
The full adult cast of The Secret Garden has been unveiled, and it’s full of familiar faces.
Joining Anthony Warlow in one of his most acclaimed roles as Archibald Craven, the master of Misselthwaite Manor, will be Georgina Hopson (Ragtime, West Side Story) as Lily, and Rob McDougall (Assassins, Les Misérables) as Dr Neville Craven.
Alinta Chidzey (Chicago, A Little Night Music) will play Martha, Mary’s friend and maidservant; Nigel Huckle (West Side Story, Thoroughly Modern Millie) will be Dickon, a Yorkshire moor boy who befriends Mary and Colin; and Rodney Dobson (Wicked, Chicago) will play gruff elderly gardener Ben Weatherstaff.
Gold Logie winner Rowena Wallace (Sons & Daughters, Neighbours) will return to the stage for the first time in years to play Mrs Medlock.
The magical musical is based on the much-loved novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
It follows young orphan Mary Lennox, who arrives at her uncle’s home to find distant grieving relatives and the mysterious tale of a secret garden. Together with new-found friends, Mary breathes life into the secret garden and, through her adventures, tends to all the hearts around her.
Producer John Frost says he is thrilled with the cast.
“The list of incredible performers that we’ve assembled for The Secret Garden is second to none. I can’t wait to hear them sing the spine-tingling score.”
The Secret Garden returns to Australia this year for its 25th anniversary. Tickets for the Melbourne season are on sale from Friday 28 February, while new performances for the Sydney season go on sale the same day.
SYDNEY SEASON
Where: Sydney Lyric Theatre, The Star
When: From 2 August 2020
Tickets: secretgardenmusical.com.au
MELBOURNE SEASON
Where: Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne
When: From 13 November 2020
Tickets: secretgardenmusical.com.au
Image: The Secret Garden/Jeff Busby
