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Expect a stunning show from The Secret Garden
by Ashley Martin
the Carillon
Globe Theatre’s The Secret Garden unites beautiful costumes, a unique set and extraordinarily talented actors and singers, not to mention the beautiful choreography by Tracy Houser. Playing at the Globe until January 4, The Secret Garden begins its preview performances November 24.
It’s the inspiring story of a girl who brings love and joy to her miserable family. Mary Lennox lived in India with her parents. When they were killed, she was sent to England to live at her Uncle Archibald’s estate. She was a spoiled, angry girl when she arrived, but learned from her new friends and her disabled cousin Colin that life is a wonderful and joyous gift.
“It’s a beautiful story, and the music in this particular adaptation of the story is absolutely extraordinary,” says Ruth Smillie, Globe Theatre’s Artistic Director and Director of The Secret Garden. “I like doing stories this time of year about these small people, little creatures that do extraordinary things. This is the time of year that we all need that little boost of joy that these kinds of stories give us.”
The Secret Garden features three brilliant young performers, all from Regina: Tatiana Maslany as Mary, and Addison Becker and Zach Phair alternating as Colin Craven.
“My singing voice is okay, but my acting got me the part,” says eleven-year-old Becker.
The young actor is very accomplished and sees acting as an opportunity. He’s very excited about the production and says his role has been a challenge.
“Playing that you’re sick is pretty hard when you’re not sick,” Becker says, and adds, “but I have a little bit of a flu so it really helps.”
The performances in The Secret Garden are stunning.
“You always pray and hope that the chemistry is going to be perfect and it hardly ever happens, but in this cast it truly is,” says Smillie. “It has been one of the most enjoyable, inspiring experiences I’ve ever had as a director.”
The set is another point of admiration, unique in that it has a revolving stage.
“The revolve was an attempt to solve some of the concerns with space and motion,” says Wes Pearce, U of R Theatre professor and The Secret Garden set and costume designer.
Smillie adds, “The revolve is a brilliant solution to trying to create the sense of a huge mansion, a sense of space and people moving through space.”
The costumes are another highlight of the production.
“In terms of costume, there are three groups that I’ve tried to work with,” says Pearce. “The dreamers are the characters from India, from Mary’s past. There are the good people of the house in earth tones. Then there are the people of the house in black, grey and silver.”
Mary’s costume represents her journey, as she shifts from white to black to “much greener, more organic” costume.
The set has a similar progression, but remains darker than the costumes. The set is comprised of an “interior world” and an “exterior world,” Pearce says, and they’ve tried to keep the two worlds separate.
The songs in The Secret Garden are incredible, written by Grammy Award-winning Lucy Simon, but the amazing voices of the Globe’s cast make the songs come alive.
“I don’t know that you’ll ever experience such joy from the human voice as you will on this stage over the next number of weeks,” Smillie insists. “The play is uplifting, it’s absolutely joyous and completely gorgeous. It’s going to be an amazing theatre experience.”
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