The Secret Garden, Adapted by Dan Danson
Based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Directed by Ashlie Corcoran

It would be a shame if Resurgence Theatre Company’s production of the Secret Garden remained a secret.

It is quite a gem.

The show, which kicks off the 2008 York Shakespeare Festival, is the Canadian premiere of a new adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic tale written by Dan Danson.

It is a story of loss, love and the rediscovery and renewal of life and one sure to touch even the hardest of modern-day hearts.

Not being all that familiar with the book myself, I wasn’t exactly certain of what to expect.

The play opens with a death, but then shifts to a much lighter tone.

This, for me, was a bit problematic as the play doesn’t seem quite sure what it wants to be initially.

After a moving opening sequence, a new character appears, breaks the fourth wall and begins distributing flowers and joking with the audience.

From there, the audience is introduced to Mary Lennox, played with brilliant depth by Lara Jean Chorostecki, who has just been orphaned and is about to be sent to live with her uncle in the windswept moors of Yorkshire.

These events are related to the audience through the use of a puppet show, which left me a little confused.

I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to feel sympathy for Mary as the puppets seem too lighthearted to properly convey tragedy. In the end, I was a little worried.

However, these opening stumbles are by no means indicative of the rest of the play and it quickly hits its stride.

Under the direction of Ashlie Corcoran, the play draws you in and never lets go. Ms Chorostecki mesmerizes and Kevin Walker is stunning as the sullen Lord Craven’s son, Colin, who is convinced he will die before he has grown.

Mr. Walker’s Colin is comical, hysteric, raging and tragic all at the same time. His performance provides needed comic relief and still manages to evoke sympathy.

A similarly brilliant performance is put on by veteran actor Derek Boyes who pulls double duty playing the miserable Lord Craven and his slimy brother, Dr. Craven. He hits all the right notes as the sad and broken patriarch of Misselthwaite Manor and also nails his other part as the scheming and self-interested physician.

The leads are impressive, to be sure, but some of the supporting cast nearly succeeds in stealing the show.

Alison Deon’s Martha is sweet, gentle and her Yorkshire accent goes a long way toward selling the part. Every scene she enters shines with her truly genuine and heartfelt performance.

The same can be said for Shaun McComb in the role of Dickon. His turn as the Yorkshire boy who can speak with the creatures of the moors is touching and honest.

In the early going, you almost start to forget everyone is so damned depressed at the beginning of the play when either Dickon or Martha step on to the stage.

Able supporting work is also put in by Ian Deakin and Nathalie Toriel as Ben Weatherstaff and Mrs. Wedlock.

The truth is, not enough can be said of the cast and one can only be excited for the fact most are returning for Resurgence’s production of Twelfth Night.

The Secret Garden is on at Fairy Lake Park and until Aug. 21. For more information on the play, tickets and showtimes, go to resurgence.ca, visit the Newmarket Theatre box office at 505 Pickering Cres. or call 905-953-5122.