MTYP celebrates 20 years by staging The Secret Garden

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This article was published 05/12/2001 (8948 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

SOME classic tales are just meant to be enjoyed again and again. Such is the case with the story of The Secret Garden.

Never out of print since its publication in 1911, Frances Hodgson Burnett’s timeless children’s novel is being brought to life by the Manitoba Theatre for Young People in celebration of the company’s 20th anniversary.

This is a fond flashback for MTYP; The Secret Garden was the theatre’s most popular play from its first 10 years of operation.

The Secret Garden tells the story of Mary Lennox, a wealthy English orphan who is sent to live at her bitter, lonely uncle’s gloomy mansion on the English moors. There the lonely and disheartened Mary discovers a walled garden, neglected and in ruins.

Soon after, she meets her servant’s brother, the robust Dickon, and her bed-ridden cousin, Colin.

Through their efforts to bring the secret garden back to life, the three children forge a powerful friendship and discover the healing powers of the imagination.

“Frances Hodgson Burnett was one of the first novelists to paint realistic pictures of Victorian children,” said Leslee Silverman, MTYP artistic director and director of the play. “Although it was written almost 100 years ago, the story’s message about the redemptive power of love resonates just as strongly for today’s children. Paul Ledoux’s adaptation for the stage serves the book masterfully. It is creative, playable and true to the essence of the original.”

Born in Manchester, England in 1849, Burnett emigrated to the United States at the age of 16 and began writing professionally as a means of supplementing her family’s income. She went on to author more than 40 books for children and adults. Her children’s literature, and especially The Secret Garden, is considered by many to be among the most satisfying ever written for young readers.

“Halifax-born writer Paul Ledoux is known for his provocative explorations of the world of performers, as exemplified in his multiple award-winning Fire,” said Alison Mitchell, MTYP publicist. “Ledoux has had over 30 plays produced and is also active in Canadian television and radio.”

The role of Mary will be played by Winnipeg actress Jennifer Villaverde, last seen at MTYP in HawkMeadow’s production of Romeo and Juliet. The cast also includes Maggie Nagle (Comet in Moominland and The Hobbit at MTYP, Love and Anger at PTE) as Mrs. Medlock; David Gillies (Robinson and Crusoe, Boy in the Treehouse at MTYP) as Mr. Craven/Dr. Craven; and David Warburton (Peter Pan at MTYP, School for Wives and King Lear at MTC) as Ben Weatherstaff, all reprising their roles from MTYP’s original production.

Performances of The Secret Garden started Nov. 30 and continue until Dec. 23. Showtimes are 7 p.m. on Fridays, 12:30 & 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays, and 12:30 p.m. & 4 p.m. on Sundays.

All tickets are $12 plus GST and can be purchased by calling the MTYP box office at 942-8898.

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Celebrate Hanukkah with FINJAN at the University of Winnipeg. The popular band will perform two concerts in honour of Hanukkah at Eckhardt-Gramatte Hall. The shows will take place Dec. 8 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 9 at 2:30 p.m.

Free parking for both performances is available at the CBC, right beside the U of W. Advance tickets are available at McNally Robinson Booksellers or by calling 786-9000.

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Looking for something to do with your tot that won’t burn a hole in your wallet?

Tyndall Park Play School, 2221 King Edward St., is inviting parents of children ages 18 months to three years to two free months (January and February) of the Parent & Tots Program.

Held every Friday morning from 9:15 to 11:15 a.m., the program includes crafts, free play, stories, music and movement, and snacks.

For more information, call 633-9027 and leave a message for Teresa or Brenda.

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Santa’s Village is now open at the Manitoba Children’s Museum at The Forks. Take in 15 fairytale vignettes in a magical setting equipped with festive decorations and music. Santa photos will be available Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. until Dec. 16.

Other happenings at the museum for the holiday season include:

z Imagination Station — Gifts From the Heart: weekends, noon to 4 p.m. daily from Dec. 22 to 24 and Dec. 27 to Jan. 5.

z Movie Nights: held every Saturday at 6 p.m.

z Free Teddy Bear draws: every Saturday and Sunday.

The museum will be closed Dec. 24 to 26, and will close at 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 31.

For more information, call Tammy Melesko at 924-4011.

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Know of someone or something interesting in your neighbourhood? We’d like to hear about it, too! You can leave a message for reporter Holli Moncrieff at 697-7281, or send a fax to Community Review at 697-7370.

PHOTO MIKE DEAL/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS