PRESS RELEASE
Pitlochry Festival Theatre returns to
THE SECRET GARDEN
Written by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Adapted by Elizabeth Newman
Directed by Ben Occhipinti
- Return of Pitlochry Festival Theatre Artistic Director Elizabeth Newman’s acclaimed adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden
- Directed by Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s Associate Director Ben Occhipinti
- Production runs from 12 July until 22 August
- Press performance Thursday 18 July at 2pm
Pitlochry Festival Theatre to revive its magical stage adaptation of The Secret Garden
Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s picturesque outdoor Amphitheatre is set once again to be the breathtaking location for the return of Elizabeth Newman’s acclaimed 2023 adaptation of one of the most delightful and enduring classics of children’s literature – Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden.
When orphaned Mary Lennox comes to live at her uncle’s great house on the Yorkshire Moors, she finds it full of secrets. At night, she hears crying down one of the long corridors. She follows the sound to discover her cousin Colin, who has spent his entire life in bed, unable to walk.
One day, Mary finds a key that leads her to a garden kept locked for years and completely overgrown. Mary and her friend Dickon nurse the garden back to life, bringing joy back to the house and those living there.
Elizabeth Newman’s acclaimed adaptation celebrates the power of transformation and healing through nature. The Amphitheatre is the perfect setting for one of the most delightful and enduring classics of British literature.
First published in 1911, Frances Hodgson Burnett’s much-loved novel continues to appeal to readers of all ages, and regularly appears in the Top 10 of all-time favourite children’s literature, making this wonderful production perfect for the whole family this Summer.
Performed in Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s outdoor Amphitheatre, nestled in the Theatre’s Explorers Garden, the magical production’s cast will feature Irene Allan (Wilf, Traverse Theatre and Red Dust Road, National Theatre of Scotland) as Mrs Medlock; Oliver Cookson (A Streetcar Named Desire and The Secret Garden, Pitlochry Festival Theatre) as Ben; Theo Diedrick (Sleeping Beauty, Theatr Clwyd and The True Adventures of Marian and Robin Hood, The Barn Theatre) as Mr Craven; Myles Miller (Alice In Wonderland, Liverpool Everyman Playhouse and Beautiful The Carole King Musical, Curve and UK Tour) as Robin; Wendy Paver (The Blonde Bombshells of 1943 and Summer Holiday, Pitlochry Festival Theatre and Footloose, UK tour) as Martha; and David Rankine (The Fair Maid of the West, Royal Shakespeare Company and Kidnapped, National Theatre of Scotland) as Dickon; Elizabeth Rowe (Made in Dagenham, Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch / New Wolsey Theatre and One Man Two Guvnors, Nuffield Theatres Southampton) as Mary and Luke Thornton (The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole the Musical, Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch and Summer Holiday, Pitlochry Festival Theatre) as Colin. All other roles will be played by the cast.
The Secret Garden runs in the Amphitheatre at Pitlochry Festival Theatre from 12 July to 22 August.
Tickets for this must-see family production are available from the Pitlochry Festival Theatre Box Office on 01796 484626 or online at pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com
-Ends-
For all press interviews please contact Duncan Clarke PR:
T 07880893750 or E duncanclarkepr@gmail.com
NOTES TO EDITORS
PRESS PERFORMANCE: Thursday 18 July at 2pm, Amphitheatre at Pitlochry Festival Theatre
CREATIVES
Pitlochry Festival Theatre presents
THE SECRET GARDEN
Written by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Adapted by Elizabeth Newman
Director, Composer and Sound Designer Ben Occhipinti
Set Designer Nick Trueman
Costume Designer Natalie Fern
Deputy Stage managed by Ruby Noble
Cast: Irene Allan, Oliver Cookson, Theo Diedrick, Myles Miller, Wendy Paver, David Rankine, Elizabeth Rowe and Luke Thornton.
LISTINGS
AUDITORIUM
12 July – 22 August
AMPHITHEATRE
Afternoon perf at 2pm:
July: 12, 13, 18, 20, 27 & 31
August: 3, 7, 10, 17 & 22
Ticket prices: £25 with under 16s £10
Box Office and group bookings: 01796 484626
email boxoffice@pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com
Website: pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com
Pitlochry Festival Theatre. A Theatre for Everyone. A Theatre for a Lifetime.
Since 1951, Pitlochry Festival Theatre has been the artistic heart and soul of Highland Perthshire. Attracting over 100,000 visitors every year, we’re more than simply a place to come and see a show – we’re Scotland’s leading producer of musical theatre, a champion of ensemble practice and the country’s only rurally-located, major arts organisation. Our vision is to improve lives by sharing Pitlochry with the world and the world with Pitlochry. Our aim is to create life-enhancing experiences in our Theatre and its glorious eleven-acre campus that encompasses the magical Explorers Garden. In everything we do, we are committed to nurturing an exciting creative and cultural future for Scotland.
Pitlochry Festival Theatre is supported by funding from Creative Scotland and Perth & Kinross Council. It is also grateful to the many individual donors, trusts and foundations who continue to support the Theatre in its vision.
Pitlochry Festival Theatre
Address: Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Port Na Craig, Pitlochry, Perthshire PH16 5DR
Box Office and group bookings: boxoffice@pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com
Website: pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com
