Casting is now set for Tony-winning director John Doyle's new revival of Marsha Norman and Lucy Simon's 1991 musical The Secret Garden at York Theatre Royal. The production, as previously reported, will play the U.K. theatre March 17-April 4 with an official opening March 19.

The production will see Doyle returning to his oft-used actor-musician setup, following similar stagings of Sweeney Todd, Company, Allegro, and others. 

Estella Evans (The Book Thief, Matilda) and Poppy Jason (Les Misérables) will 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 ensemble is completed by Stephanie Cremona, Matthew James Hinchliffe, Lara Lewis, and Melinda Orengo.

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. 

“It’s such a privilege to bring the story of The Secret Garden back to its Yorkshire roots and to bring it to life on the York Theatre Royal stage with the support of this wonderful creative team," Doyle said in a statement. "We have an immensely talented cast of actor-musicians on board and I can't wait to start rehearsals next month.” 

Visit YorkTheatreRoyal.co.uk.