The world premiere of the Paul Sportelli and Jay Turvey adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden starts previews tomorrow at the Shaw Festival’s Royal George Theatre. Jay Turvey also directs this charming play-with-songs that positively brims with warmth, delight and just a hint of magic.

Mary Lennox (Gabriella Sundar Singh), a neglected upper-class child living in British-occupied India, returns home to England following the untimely death of her parents. Mary is sent to live with her uncle, Archibald Craven (David Alan Anderson) and his sickly son, Colin (Gryphyn Karimloo). Following the chance discovery of a mysterious, walled off garden, Mary slowly grows to understand the natural beauty of the world around her. Emboldened by her discovery, she resolves to share the magic of the ‘secret garden’ with her newfound friends and family.

The Secret Garden also features David Adams, Sharry Flett, Patty Jamieson, Tama Martin, Drew Plummer and Jacqueline Thair. Musical accompaniment performed by Ryan deSouza (conductor/keyboard), Andy Ballantyne/Doug Miller (alternating flute), Erica Goodman (harp), Alex Grant (cello) and Tim Mulligan (percussion).

The Shaw’s original production of The Secret Garden features enchanting live musical accompaniment directed by Ryan deSouza, a nature-inspired set by Beyata Hackborn, magical costume design by Judith Bowden, atmospheric lighting design by Kevin Lamotte and engaging movement direction by Linda Garneau. The production team includes stage manager Amy Jewell and assistant stage manager Kelly Boudreau.

The Shaw Festival’s popular 40-minute pre-show workshop for children and the young-at-heart returns with this season’s Gardens and Nature. Explore the wondrous properties of plants and flowers and what lessons can be learned from them. Workshops will be held one hour prior to all performances of The Secret Garden in the Market Room at the Court House (26 Queen Street) and concludes with a short parade down the street to the Royal George Theatre. Admission: $5 with a ticket to the day’s performance.

On stage at the Royal George Theatre (85 Queen Street) from May 31 to October 13 (available for review beginning June 20), The Secret Garden is recommended for audience members 8+/Grade 2+. Running time is approximately 2 hours, 20 minutes, including one intermission.

The Shaw Festival’s 2024 season runs through to December 22, with a playbill featuring Lerner and Loewe’s My Fair Lady, One Man, Two Guvnors, Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery of the Human Heart, Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution, The Secret Garden, The Orphan of Chao, Candida, The House That Will Not Stand, Snow in Midsummer and A Christmas Carol. The Spiegeltent’s season features The Shaw Variety Show, The Roll of Shaw, Kabarett, Cotton Club, Coffee Concerts, Footlights, Speakeasies, What’s In Your Songbook and Gospel Choir.

For tickets visit www.shawfest.com.