Synopsis

ACT ONE - The Secret Garden is set in the early 1900's. The opening of the musical is mysterious and

dreamlike. In an area of the stage representing the garden, a beautiful woman, Lily, sits in the branches of atree. She is singing. Lily is a spirit from the past, fondly remembered by the play's central characters. She is a link between characters, and helps them discover knowledge and answers. Lily will guide the play's main character, young Mary Lennox, along an adventurous and challenging journey which begins in India.

As the play opens, Mary is living in India. She is a spoiled and lonely child, neglected by her mother and left in the care of her Ayah, an Indian servant. India has been stricken by cholera. Mary's life is about to be overturned by this epidemic. The characters in this scene - Mary's father Albert, her mother Rose, their friends, and Mary's Ayah, are at a party. They play out the spreading of the epidemic in a game of "drop the handkerchief." The red handkerchief signals death. One by one, Mary's family and everyone around her are destroyed. Remarkably, Mary survives. But she is alone and frightened. With no one to care for her, Mary is sent to England to live with her uncle Archibald.

Mary's parents, her Ayah, and their friends, become spirits, like Lily. Referred to as "Dreamers", they appear throughout the play, narrating the story through their beautiful songs and guiding Mary safely through her adventures.

Mary arrives in England to be greeted by the stern Mrs. Medlock, her uncle's housekeeper. Mrs. Medlock accompanies the young girl across the Yorkshire moors to her new home, the gloomy and gigantic Misselthwaite Manor. The Dreamers evoke the mysterious atmosphere of the Misselthwaite, singing:

High on a hill sits a big old house

With something wrong inside it.

Spirits haunt the halls

And make no effort now to hide it.

What will put their souls to rest

And stop their ceaseless singing?

Why do they call out children's names

And speak of one who's crying?

Archibald Craven is a sad and lonely hunchbacked man. For ten years he has mourned the death of his wife, Lily, who was Mary's aunt. Mary receives a cold welcome to her new home. Her uncle is too consumed by his own grief to care much for the young girl. Mrs. Medlock has no patience with her. Her orders are "play about and look after yourself" and "don't go wandering the halls." Archibald's brother, Dr. Craven, also lives at the manor. He is stern and cold, like the others.

The atmosphere of the home is very dark and foreboding. Mary thinks she hears voices and crying. Like any curious child, she begins to explore her new home. Keeping her safe along the way and guiding her through her adventures are Lily and the Dreamers.

Mary is at first mean and rude to her servant Martha. She thinks Martha is uncaring, like everyone else she has encountered in her life. But Martha is different. She is sympathetic toward Mary. Martha is friendly and cheerful, and has many pleasant stories about life on the Yorkshire moors and outside the manor walls.

A tender moment in Archibald's memory reflects the love he shared with Lily, who married him against the wishes of her family. He remembers their happiness at Misselthwaite, and the joy she found in her garden. His dream is interrupted by Mary, who wants to know more about Lily, a face she knows only from a photograph. Mary bears a strong resemblance to her aunt, making it difficult for Archibald to face his niece and reluctant to answer her questions about the house and the family.

Outdoors, Mary begins to explore the series of mazes on the grounds of Misselthwaite. She meets Ben Weatherstaff, the groundskeeper. Ben has worked at the manor for years, and is able to answer Mary's questions about her family, especially her aunt Lily. Ben used to work closely with Lily, helping her tend a beautiful enclosed garden. After Lily died, Archibald ordered the garden locked, and buried the key. Over the years, the door became lost among overgrown vines and weeds. With a bit of coaxing from Ben, and from a friendly robin, Mary becomes even more curious about the secrets of the garden and of her new home.

As Mary spends more and more time outside, she begins to change. She is healthier and more cheerful. She becomes more and more interested and inquisitive about the mysterious garden that seems to be off limits to everyone except for the playful robin who keeps "teasing" Mary with his cheerful song.

For the first time in her life, Mary begins to experience friendship. Martha, her brother Dickon, and Ben become Mary's friends. Dickon gives Mary some seeds, encouraging her interest in the garden. He entertains her with stories of the spirits and magic of the moors, and advises Mary to look for the answers she seeks in the nature around her, including the song of the robin. Dickon's advice pays off. Mary is summoned back to the house by Martha. But the robin signals to her, stopping her for a moment - just long enough to discover the missing key to the garden! Now, if she can only find the door!

In Archibald's study, he discusses Mary's future with Dr. Craven. There is tension between the two brothers. Dr. Craven is bitter and controlling, and seems threatened by Mary's presence at Misselthwaite. He insists she be sent away to school, and suggests that Archibald leave Misselthwaite and the memories that haunt him.

Archibald appears to soften toward the girl. He kindly grants her request for a patch of earth in which to grow a garden. Dr. Craven considers this a mistake. Both brothers are moved by Mary's resemblance to Lily. In their touching song, Lily's Eyes, Dr. Craven's own love for Lily is revealed, as well as the heartbreak he felt when she fell in love with Archibald.

A storm on the moor rattles the windows of the dark and gloomy mansion. The howling wind seems to pierce the walls of the house. Mary thinks she hears someone crying. Encouraged by the Dreamers, she sets out to find the source.

She discovers a boy her own age alone in a room. The boy is Colin, the son of Archibald and Lily. He has been confined to his bed since birth. Colin is a sour, spoiled child. He is rude, much like Mary when she first came to Misselthwaite. Colin is convinced that his father hates him, that he will be deformed, and that he will surely die soon. Mary has little patience with Colin's whining, but is finally able to console him. She reminds him that they are cousins, striking a bond between the two children.

Their meeting is interrupted by Mrs. Medlock and Dr. Craven. Chaos erupts. Mary and Colin are torn apart. Colin's screaming and the confusion of the moment bring back painful memories to Mary. She remembers the commotion and confusion of the epidemic and for the first time, recalls events that occurred the night her parents died. Mary rushes outside into the storm. However, the Dreamers keep her safe and guide her to an exciting discovery - the door to the secret garden!

ACT TWO: Mary dreams about how lovely it would be to be part of a family. But her dream turns into a nightmare when Colin is wheeled in by Mrs. Medlock, and Dr. Craven drops a red handkerchief into his lap. Mary realizes that Dr. Craven actually wants to be rid of Colin so that he can inherit the manor.

Haunted by dreams of Lily and the resemblance of her in Mary, Archibald is convinced to leave Misselthwaite. He continues to be pressured by Dr. Craven to send Mary away to school. Archibald's memories of Lily include the heartbreak she experienced by her family's opposition to her marriage. Lily's choice ended the relationship she had with her sister Rose.

Dr. Craven convinces Archibald that he must stay away from Colin. This gives the doctor more power over the fate of the young boy.

Archibald makes an effort to say goodbye to Colin before leaving for Paris, and reassures the boy that he will be in good hands, under the care of his uncle.

Outdoors, Mary and Dickon find the garden gray and cold, full of dead branches and leaves. Dickon is optimistic and talks of the magic of "wick", a Yorkshire term for life. Dickon assures Mary that no matter how lifeless something appears, the presence of "wick" will allow it to grow into something beautiful. All it needs is care and nurturing to help it grow. With this hope, Mary and Dickon begin to tend Lily's garden.

Indoors, Colin throws one of his daily tantrums. Mrs. Medlock orders Mary out of Colin's room, but Martha convinces her to let the girl stay. Colin insists that a lump is forming on his back, and that he will die soon. Mary is able to calm the boy, and when the two are left alone, she reveals the secret about his mother's garden. Mary plants, in Colin, a seed of hope that he may one day leave his room and visit the garden. They plan for Mary to visit him daily with news of the garden's progress. But they must keep her visits undiscovered by Dr. Craven, who wants to send her away. Mary's good news lifts Colin's spirits and he rests, dreaming about reuniting with his mother in her beautiful garden.

Mary keeps her promise and with the help of Martha and another servant, Colin is brought to the garden. Dickon and Mary perform a charm which they believe will heal Colin. With the help of the Dreamers and the magical surroundings, Colin stands on his weak legs. He is determined to walk again. Dickon, Mary and Ben promise to stand by Colin, keeping up his visits to the garden until he can surprise his father with his regained health and strength.

A visitor arrives at Misselthwaite. Mrs. Winthrop is head mistress of the Aberdeen School for Girls, where Dr. Craven plans to send Mary. Mary revolts, screaming that her uncle would never allow her to be taken away. Mrs. Winthrop is insulted and leaves. Alone, Dr. Craven and Mary argue. He tells her that her resemblance to Lily drove Archibald away and that her influence on Colin is a risk to the boy's health. Mary accuses Dr. Craven of interfering with Colin's recovery, and of plotting to take control of the home.

While helping Mary pack for school, Martha tries to console her. She reminds Mary of the changes that have occurred since she arrived at Misselthwaite. Martha advises Mary to write to her uncle and ask him to return home.

Living in Paris has done little for Archibald's spirits and he seems lonelier and sadder than ever. Mary's letter, in which she mentions the garden, evokes Lily's spirit, who convinces Archibald to return home, to care for their child and to enjoy the garden, where a part of her will always be alive.

By spring, the work of Ben and the children has restored Lily's garden back to its splendour. Flowers bloom all around and the garden is a beautiful playground for three healthy and vigorous children - Colin, Mary and Dickon. Their games are interrupted when Archibald and Dr. Craven enter the garden. The children are frightened for a moment - their secret has been discovered by Dr. Craven. But the reunion between Colin and his father relieves all tension. Archibald is overjoyed in seeing his son healthy and able to walk. He is grateful to Mary for the changes that she has brought to Misselthwaite and to their lives, and welcomes her into the family and into their home.

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*The Secret Garden* - Synopsis ACT ONE - The Secret Garden is set in the early 1900's. The opening of the musical is mysterious and dreamlike. In an area of the stage representing the garden, a beautiful woman, Lily, sits in the branches of atree. She is singing. Lily is a spirit from the past, fondly remembered by the play's central characters. She is a link between characters, and helps them discover knowledge and answers. Lily will guide the play's main character, young Mary Lennox, along an adventurous and challenging journey which begins in India. As the play opens, Mary is living in India. She is a spoiled and lonely child, neglected by her mother and left in the care of her Ayah, an Indian servant. India has been stricken by cholera. Mary's life is about to be overturned by this epidemic. The characters in this scene - Mary's father Albert, her mother Rose, their friends, and Mary's Ayah, are at a party. They play out the spreading of the epidemic in a game of "drop the handkerchief." The red handkerchief signals death. One by one, Mary's family and everyone around her are destroyed. Remarkably, Mary survives. But she is alone and frightened. With no one to care for her, Mary is sent to England to live with her uncle Archibald. Mary's parents, her Ayah, and their friends, become spirits, like Lily. Referred to as "Dreamers", they appear throughout the play, narrating the story through their beautiful songs and guiding Mary safely through her adventures. Mary arrives in England to be greeted by the stern Mrs. Medlock, her uncle's housekeeper. Mrs. Medlock accompanies the young girl across the Yorkshire moors to her new home, the gloomy and gigantic Misselthwaite Manor. The Dreamers evoke the mysterious atmosphere of the Misselthwaite, singing: High on a hill sits a big old house With something wrong inside it. Spirits haunt the halls And make no effort now to hide it. What will put their souls to rest And stop their ceaseless singing? Why do they call out children's names And speak of one who's crying? Archibald Craven is a sad and lonely hunchbacked man. For ten years he has mourned the death of his wife, Lily, who was Mary's aunt. Mary receives a cold welcome to her new home. Her uncle is too consumed by his own grief to care much for the young girl. Mrs. Medlock has no patience with her. Her orders are "play about and look after yourself" and "don't go wandering the halls." Archibald's brother, Dr. Craven, also lives at the manor. He is stern and cold, like the others. The atmosphere of the home is very dark and foreboding. Mary thinks she hears voices and crying. Like any curious child, she begins to explore her new home. Keeping her safe along the way and guiding her through her adventures are Lily and the Dreamers. Mary is at first mean and rude to her servant Martha. She thinks Martha is uncaring, like everyone else she has encountered in her life. But Martha is different. She is sympathetic toward Mary. Martha is friendly and cheerful, and has many pleasant stories about life on the Yorkshire moors and outside the manor walls. A tender moment in Archibald's memory reflects the love he shared with Lily, who married him against the wishes of her family. He remembers their happiness at Misselthwaite, and the joy she found in her garden. His dream is interrupted by Mary, who wants to know more about Lily, a face she knows only from a photograph. Mary bears a strong resemblance to her aunt, making it difficult for Archibald to face his niece and reluctant to answer her questions about the house and the family. Outdoors, Mary begins to explore the series of mazes on the grounds of Misselthwaite. She meets Ben Weatherstaff, the groundskeeper. Ben has worked at the manor for years, and is able to answer Mary's questions about her family, especially her aunt Lily. Ben used to work closely with Lily, helping her tend a beautiful enclosed garden. After Lily died, Archibald ordered the garden locked, and buried the key. Over the years, the door became lost among overgrown vines and weeds. With a bit of coaxing from Ben, and from a friendly robin, Mary becomes even more curious about the secrets of the garden and of her new home. As Mary spends more and more time outside, she begins to change. She is healthier and more cheerful. She becomes more and more interested and inquisitive about the mysterious garden that seems to be off limits to everyone except for the playful robin who keeps "teasing" Mary with his cheerful song. For the first time in her life, Mary begins to experience friendship. Martha, her brother Dickon, and Ben become Mary's friends. Dickon gives Mary some seeds, encouraging her interest in the garden. He entertains her with stories of the spirits and magic of the moors, and advises Mary to look for the answers she seeks in the nature around her, including the song of the robin. Dickon's advice pays off. Mary is summoned back to the house by Martha. But the robin signals to her, stopping her for a moment - just long enough to discover the missing key to the garden! Now, if she can only find the door! In Archibald's study, he discusses Mary's future with Dr. Craven. There is tension between the two brothers. Dr. Craven is bitter and controlling, and seems threatened by Mary's presence at Misselthwaite. He insists she be sent away to school, and suggests that Archibald leave Misselthwaite and the memories that haunt him. Archibald appears to soften toward the girl. He kindly grants her request for a patch of earth in which to grow a garden. Dr. Craven considers this a mistake. Both brothers are moved by Mary's resemblance to Lily. In their touching song, Lily's Eyes, Dr. Craven's own love for Lily is revealed, as well as the heartbreak he felt when she fell in love with Archibald. A storm on the moor rattles the windows of the dark and gloomy mansion. The howling wind seems to pierce the walls of the house. Mary thinks she hears someone crying. Encouraged by the Dreamers, she sets out to find the source. She discovers a boy her own age alone in a room. The boy is Colin, the son of Archibald and Lily. He has been confined to his bed since birth. Colin is a sour, spoiled child. He is rude, much like Mary when she first came to Misselthwaite. Colin is convinced that his father hates him, that he will be deformed, and that he will surely die soon. Mary has little patience with Colin's whining, but is finally able to console him. She reminds him that they are cousins, striking a bond between the two children. Their meeting is interrupted by Mrs. Medlock and Dr. Craven. Chaos erupts. Mary and Colin are torn apart. Colin's screaming and the confusion of the moment bring back painful memories to Mary. She remembers the commotion and confusion of the epidemic and for the first time, recalls events that occurred the night her parents died. Mary rushes outside into the storm. However, the Dreamers keep her safe and guide her to an exciting discovery - the door to the secret garden! ACT TWO: Mary dreams about how lovely it would be to be part of a family. But her dream turns into a nightmare when Colin is wheeled in by Mrs. Medlock, and Dr. Craven drops a red handkerchief into his lap. Mary realizes that Dr. Craven actually wants to be rid of Colin so that he can inherit the manor. Haunted by dreams of Lily and the resemblance of her in Mary, Archibald is convinced to leave Misselthwaite. He continues to be pressured by Dr. Craven to send Mary away to school. Archibald's memories of Lily include the heartbreak she experienced by her family's opposition to her marriage. Lily's choice ended the relationship she had with her sister Rose. Dr. Craven convinces Archibald that he must stay away from Colin. This gives the doctor more power over the fate of the young boy. Archibald makes an effort to say goodbye to Colin before leaving for Paris, and reassures the boy that he will be in good hands, under the care of his uncle. Outdoors, Mary and Dickon find the garden gray and cold, full of dead branches and leaves. Dickon is optimistic and talks of the magic of "wick", a Yorkshire term for life. Dickon assures Mary that no matter how lifeless something appears, the presence of "wick" will allow it to grow into something beautiful. All it needs is care and nurturing to help it grow. With this hope, Mary and Dickon begin to tend Lily's garden. Indoors, Colin throws one of his daily tantrums. Mrs. Medlock orders Mary out of Colin's room, but Martha convinces her to let the girl stay. Colin insists that a lump is forming on his back, and that he will die soon. Mary is able to calm the boy, and when the two are left alone, she reveals the secret about his mother's garden. Mary plants, in Colin, a seed of hope that he may one day leave his room and visit the garden. They plan for Mary to visit him daily with news of the garden's progress. But they must keep her visits undiscovered by Dr. Craven, who wants to send her away. Mary's good news lifts Colin's spirits and he rests, dreaming about reuniting with his mother in her beautiful garden. Mary keeps her promise and with the help of Martha and another servant, Colin is brought to the garden. Dickon and Mary perform a charm which they believe will heal Colin. With the help of the Dreamers and the magical surroundings, Colin stands on his weak legs. He is determined to walk again. Dickon, Mary and Ben promise to stand by Colin, keeping up his visits to the garden until he can surprise his father with his regained health and strength. A visitor arrives at Misselthwaite. Mrs. Winthrop is head mistress of the Aberdeen School for Girls, where Dr. Craven plans to send Mary. Mary revolts, screaming that her uncle would never allow her to be taken away. Mrs. Winthrop is insulted and leaves. Alone, Dr. Craven and Mary argue. He tells her that her resemblance to Lily drove Archibald away and that her influence on Colin is a risk to the boy's health. Mary accuses Dr. Craven of interfering with Colin's recovery, and of plotting to take control of the home. While helping Mary pack for school, Martha tries to console her. She reminds Mary of the changes that have occurred since she arrived at Misselthwaite. Martha advises Mary to write to her uncle and ask him to return home. Living in Paris has done little for Archibald's spirits and he seems lonelier and sadder than ever. Mary's letter, in which she mentions the garden, evokes Lily's spirit, who convinces Archibald to return home, to care for their child and to enjoy the garden, where a part of her will always be alive. By spring, the work of Ben and the children has restored Lily's garden back to its splendour. Flowers bloom all around and the garden is a beautiful playground for three healthy and vigorous children - Colin, Mary and Dickon. Their games are interrupted when Archibald and Dr. Craven enter the garden. The children are frightened for a moment - their secret has been discovered by Dr. Craven. But the reunion between Colin and his father relieves all tension. Archibald is overjoyed in seeing his son healthy and able to walk. He is grateful to Mary for the changes that she has brought to Misselthwaite and to their lives, and welcomes her into the family and into their home.