Sometimes a show that proves problematic in its initial production returns in a much altered and improved later production. That seems to be the case with The Secret Garden, which Mirvish Productions is currently presenting at the Royal Alexandra Theatre through March 19.
The original 1991 Broadway production suffered from a first act that was too long and meandering, although the second act played much better. The producers must have felt the same way because not long after the show opened they made a number of trims and cuts to streamline the first half. It helped - somewhat - and The Secret Garden ran for nearly two years in New York winning three 1991 Tony Awards, including one for the book by Marsha Norman, inspired by the 1911 novel by Francis Hodgson Burnett.
Burnett's novel has been a popular read for junior grades for many years and inspired a number of film and television adaptations. The musical developed a strong following, and the original cast recording has remained a steady best-seller.
Last year The Festival Theatre in Edinburgh produced a new version that re-examined the troublesome first act. It originally lasted nearly an hour and a half and has now been trimmed to a tight 55 minutes. Wisely they left the second half pretty much as it was.The tightening has resulted in two key songs being eliminated and while this does speed the narrative it also makes the first act heavy with reciative.
The result is a faster moving show, that tells the story in a more coherent fashion. The first act is certainly much improved but it still takes that entire act for 11-year old Mary Lennox to find her way into her late aunt's hidden garden. The second act still tells how Mary and her friends bring the forgotten place back to life while also restoring the damaged family living in her Uncle's gloomy estate.
Ellie Coldicutt plays the strong-willed Mary (alternating with Sophie Kavanagh) offering a strong voice and very precise diction. She virtually carries the entire show, rarely off stage for more than a minute, and to her immense credit she remains firmly rooted in character.
Caspar Phillipson as the grieving Uncle has little to do acting-wise since his character comes in one mood: dour. When he lets the full voice out it is impressive, though in the quieter moments of the opening performance he had a troubling pitch problem and the voice occasionally gave out as if he is possibly battling a cold.
As his jealous brother, Neville, Graham Bickley manages to overcome a script that desperately wants to paint him as the villain of the piece. He too has a glorious voice and the duet "Lily's Eyes" was every bit the rouser it ought to be.
Gene Goodman (Alternating with Toby Hughes) plays the bed-ridden child Collin bringing fire to his temper tantrums, but not quite melting your heart as he falls under the spell of the secret Garden.
Jos Slovick portrays Dickon, the youth man who helps Mary rebuild the garden. His solos are among the show's high points.
The chamber-sized orchestra provides excellent support and is always kept in balance with the singers, crucial in a show like this with so much recitative.
Anna Linstrum deserves top marks for keeping the action flowing and more importantly making some of the more fantastic elements of the plot believable. The big problem is the design of the final scene where we want the set to blossom and instead a few painted panels slide into place and few flowers drop down from above. It underwhelms when it needs to overwhelm. This in turn undercuts the power of the last scene.
The story, telling of families dealing with grief and loss, may be a bit too advanced for very young children, but certainly those in Grade 4 and up will appreciate it. The ones who will likely appreciate it most are the parents, for like Peter Pan, The Secret Garden is essentially a children's story for adults.
The Secret Garden runs to March 19 at the Royal Alexandra Theatre. For tickets visit www.mirvish.com or call Ticketking at 416-872-1212.
