Full Cast Announced For Concert Staging Of THE SECRET GARDEN

Full casting is announced today for the three-time Tony Award-winning musical THE SECRET GARDEN, which will be brought to life in an intimate concert staging to tour the UK from October 2013.

The cast features Zoe Curlett as Lily, Alexander Evans as Archibald Craven, Ian Knauer as Neville Craven, Ashleigh Gray as Martha, Jordan Lee-Davies as Dickon, Pippa Winslow as Mrs Medlock, Martin Johnston as Ben Weatherstaff, Elliot Jones andFinlay Banks who will share the role of Colin Craven, and Anastasia Martin and Olivia Hallett who will share the role of Mary Lennox. The cast also includes Colin Zammit, Danny Whitehead and Kirsty Marie Ayers.

Zoe Curlett's theatre credits include the LES MISERABLES 25th Anniversary Concert at the O2 Arena, Jellylorum in the European Tour of Cats, Polly Browne in the UK Tour of The Boyfriend, Cosette in LES MISERABLES at the Palace Theatre, and Christine Daae in The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty's Theatre.

Alexander Evans' recent credits include Captain Watson in Opera North's Carousel, Masterclass at the Vaudeville Theatre, Father inRagtime at the Landor Theatre, the UK Tour of Chess and Sheldrake in Sunset Boulevard at the Watermill and Harold Pinter Theatre.

Ian Knauer has covered the roles of Sam and Harry in the Broadway and US Touring productions of Mamma Mia!. Other credits includeThe Great Gatsby at Riverside Studios, Steel Pier at the Union Theatre and Mother Goose at Coventry Belgrade Theatre.

Ashleigh Gray covered and performed the role of Elphaba in Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre. Other recent work includes the UK Tour of Momentous Musicals, West End Men at the Vaudeville Theatre, the UK Tour of I Dreamed a Dream and Betwixt! at Trafalgar Studios.

Jordan Lee-Davies was recently a finalist in the second series of BBC talent show The Voice. Recent stage work includes Alan in Bare: The Rock Musical at the Union Theatre.

Pippa Winslow has appeared as Phyllis in Follies at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Miss Pross in A Tale of Two Cities at Charing Cross Theatre, Desiree in A Little Night Music at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre and covering the role of Madame Giry in the UK National Tour of The Phantom of the Opera.

Martin Johnston's stage credits include Henry Potter in the UK Tour of It's a Wonderful Life and Reverend Shaw Moore in Footlooseat the Novello Theatre. TV credits include The Tudors for HBO and Criminal Justice for the BBC.

There's a door to a garden that has been locked for many years, the key buried and all but forgotten...

Based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, this enchanting classic of children's literature is reimagined in brilliant musical style by composer Lucy Simon and Marsha Norman, the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright of "Night Mother". Orphaned in India, 11 year-old Mary Lennox returns to Yorkshire to live with her embittered, reclusive uncle Archibald. In escaping his insufferable company, a friendship soon blossoms with a local boy, and together they begin to take an interest in the mysterious house Mary now lives in. The estate's many wonders include an entrancing garden which beckons the children with its haunting melodies. But can they unlock the secrets that are held within?

THE SECRET GARDEN premiered on Broadway in 1991 where it ran for 709 performances and received three Tony Awards and two Drama Desk Awards. A new production by the Royal Shakespeare Company subsequently opened in Stratford in 2000 before transferring to the Aldwych Theatre in the West End in 2001. Following a successful run at the King's Head Theatre, Islington in February 2013, this special concert staging, from the producing team behind "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" at the Arts Theatre and "The Children of Eden Gala Concert" at the Prince of Wales Theatre, will now embark on a limited 6-date UK Tour.

The Secret Garden has music by Lucy Simon and a book and lyrics by Marsha Norman. It is directed by Matthew Gould with musical direction by David Keefe and casting by Benjamin Newsome. It is designed by Franciso Rodriguez-Weil with lighting by Tom Kitneyand sound by Kirsty Gillmore. It is produced by Aria Entertainment and Knockhardy Productions.