In Francis Hodgson Burnett’s original novel, the main focus of the story was on Mary and her relationships with Colin, Martha, and Dickon. The Secret Garden Musical adds more emphasis to the adult characters, establishing the complex history between the two families.
In the novel Archibald’s wife was called Lilias and she was the sister of Mary’s father, whereas in the musical, Colin and Mary’s mothers are sisters named Lily and Rose. In the novel Colin’s private physician is a poor cousin of Archibald Craven and is the next heir to Misselthwaite Manor. The musical tightens the doctor’s conflict of interest and makes him the primary antagonist as Archibald’s brother, Dr. Neville Craven, who once hopelessly loved Lily and whom Mary expressly accuses of wanting Colin to die for the sake of his inheritance.
These enhancements to the story help see The Secret Garden more fully and imaginitavely realised than ever before. Below is a summary of all the characters from the musical version. Please visit The Cast pages to find out more about the actors playing these parts.
| Character | Description | Vocal |
Casting |
| Mary Lennox | A 10-year-old orphan who’s parents died of cholera in India | mezzo | TBC |
| Colin Craven | Mary’s cousin/ Archibald’s 10-year-old son, believed to be crippled. | soprano | TBC |
| Archibald Craven | Mary’s uncle, and lord of Misselwaite Manor | tenor | Caspar Phillipson |
| Dr. Neville Craven | Archibald’s brother and physician to Colin | baritone | Graham Bickley |
| Lily Craven | Mary’s aunt/ Archibald’s wife. Died giving birth to Colin. | soprano | Sophie Bould |
| Dickon | Martha’s brother | tenor | TBC |
| Martha | Housemaid | mezzo | Lauren Hood |
| Ben Weatherstaff | Head Gardener | tenor | TBC |
| Mrs Medlock | Archibald Craven’s Housekeeper | spoken | TBC |
| Rose Lennox | Mary’s Mother/ Lily’s sister – died in India | mezzo | TBC |
| Captain Albert Lennox | Mary’s Father – died in India | tenor | TBC |
| Alice | Friend of Rose Lennox | soprano | TBC |
| Lieutenant Wright | Officer in Mary’s father’s unit | baritone | TBC |
| Lieutenant Shaw | Fellow officer | tenor | TBC |
| Major Holmes | bass | Tomm Coles | |
| Claire Holmes | Major Holme’s wife | soprano | TBC |
| Major Shelley | TBC | ||
| Mrs Shelley | TBC | ||
| Fakir | tenor | TBC | |
| Ayah | Mary’s Indian nanny | alto | Aryana Ramkhalawon |
