Photos: John Doyle's Actor-Musician The Secret Garden in the U.K.

A new staging of the Lucy Simon-Marsha Norman musical version of Frances Hodgson Burnett's classic book is at York Theatre Royal.

March 19, 2026 By Logan Culwell-Block

Estella Evans, Mary Lennox, and Dexter Pulling in *The Secret Garden* (Marc Brenner)

New production shots are offering a first look at Tony-winning director John Doyle's new actor-musician revival of Marsha Norman and Lucy Simon's 1991 musical The Secret Garden at York Theatre Royal. Take a look in the gallery below. The production opens March 19, and continues through April 4.

Estella Evans (The Book Thief, Matilda) and Poppy Jason (Les Misérables) share the role of Mary Lennox, joined by Catrin Mai Edwards as Martha, Joanna Hickman as Lily, Henry Jenkinson as Archibald, Elliot Mackenzie as Dickon, Ann Marcuson as Mrs. Winthrop, Elizabeth Marsh as Mrs. Medlock, André Refig as Neville, and Steve Simmonds as Ben, with Cristian Buttaci and Dexter Pulling sharing the role of Colin. The company also includes Stephanie Cremona, Matthew James Hinchliffe, Lara Lewis, and Melinda Orengo.

Photos: The Secret Garden at York Theatre Royal

Adapted from Frances Hodgson Burnett's classic children's book, The Secret Garden centers on Mary Lennox, who moves to her uncle's gloomy Yorkshire mansion after being orphaned in British-occupied India. The discovery of a locked, neglected garden on the estate's grounds uncovers the restorative power of nature for an entire family struggling with grief. Norman and Simon's musical debuted on Broadway in 1991, winning Norman a Tony Award for her book.

The revival brings Doyle back to York Theatre Royal after serving as its artistic director 1993-1997. Doyle, whose actor-musician Sweeney Todd earned him a Tony Award, has also had stints as artistic director at London's Watermill and Off-Broadway's Classic Stage Company.

The creative team also includes musical supervisor and orchestrator Catherine Jayes, co-designer David L. Arsenault, costume designer Gabrielle Dalton, lighting designer Johanna Town, sound designer Tom Marshall, and casting director Ginny Schiller.

Visit YorkTheatreRoyal.co.uk.