We chatted to Elizabeth about starring in the UK premiere of the musical The Secret Garden at the York Theatre Royal from the 17th March until the 4th April.
Hi Elizabeth, how does it feel to be in the UK premiere of The Secret Garden?
Very exciting! I’ve worked with director John Doyle many times before and
absolutely love his rehearsal process; it feeds the creative soul. I knew it was going
to be a fresh and inventive retelling of the story.
What do you think makes this story so timeless?
It speaks to the nature of humanity: love and loss, the connection to the place we
call home and the people around us, and especially the importance of the
connection to nature – the garden.
What is the show like musically?
Lucy Simon’s music, arranged for us by the wonderful Catherine Jayes, is beautiful, a
rewarding challenge to sing and play, and compliments the story perfectly.
How do you see your character Mrs Medlock?
Exploring who she is in rehearsals is a treat. She’s a practical, no-nonsense woman,
kept busy running the household for a melancholy, complicated man. Like everyone
else, her life is upended by the arrival of young Mary.
How has it been working on the production so far?
We’ve had a wonderful first week. Challenging, as there is so much to learn and
remember, but exploring how to tell the story in such an original and collaborative
way is joyous.
What are you most looking forward to about audiences experiencing this show?
I hope they get to encounter a story they might (or might not) already know through
fresh eyes, told in a theatrical, fun and inventive way, with fabulous music woven
throughout. I would love them to leave the theatre having had an enjoyable
experience, appreciating their home, the people they love and the enduring power
of the relationship between nature and the human spirit.
By Emma Clarendon
To book tickets visit: https://www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk/show/the-secret-garden-the-musical/