The Secret Garden
Cast: 6M, 4F, 2 boys, 1 girl
(with opportunities for doubling)
Run time: 90 minutes
Adapted from the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
After being sent to a secluded Yorkshire estate, a sour young orphan discovers a hidden, neglected garden that becomes the key to healing her lonely cousin and her own cold heart.
Edwardian England.
Mary Lennox is a spoilt, neglected young girl, with no friends, living in India. After the death of her parents to cholera, she is sent to a large manor in England to live with her guardian, Mr Craven. Mr Craven, a widower, wants nothing to do with children – even his own son - and spends his life travelling the world.
With little to do, she starts to explore the grounds of the manor. With the help of a Robin, she finds a buried key, and discovers a neglected garden behind a hidden locked gate. She sets about restoring the garden and in doing so, discovers friendship with a local boy, Dickon, and her cousin, Colin.
* Due for publication by Lazy Bee Scripts.
CHARACTERS:
Speaking roles: 6M, 4F, 2 boys, 1 girl (with opportunities for doubling)
Non speaking actors: 3 – 6 as available (as animals or using hand puppets for birds)
Mary Lennox, a lonely child of Colonial parents in India. Aged 10.
Barney, a gardener in India. Any age.
Col McGrew, British Army Colonel in India. 50s
Mrs Medlock, Mr Craven’s housekeeper at Tavy Cleve Manor, South West England. Any age.
Mr Craven, Mary Lennox’s guardian, Colin’s father. 40-50
Martha, Mr Craven’s housemaid. 20s.
Dickon, Martha’s younger brother. 12.
Nurse, Live-in nurse to Colin. Any age.
Doctor, GP to Colin. Any age.
Colin Craven, Mr Craven’s bedridden son. 10.
Ben Wetherstaff, elderly gardener/retainer. 60+
Mr Roach, Head gardener on the Tavy Cleve Manor Estate. Any age.
Susan Sowerby, Dickon and Martha’s mother. 35-45.
Members of the company may take the following roles, or these may be depicted using a combination of puppetry and projections.
A robin
A raven
A fox
A rabbit
A squirrel
A lamb
With Doubling, and the cast operating puppets: 2M, 3F, 2 boys, 1 girl
Mary
Dickon
Colin
Mrs Medlock
Martha
Barney / Mr Craven / Mr Roach
Col McGrew / Doctor / Ben Wetherstaff
Nurse / Susan Sowerby
