The Secret Garden - Broadway vs. London

[Loge]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 1:05am

I fell madly in love with Norman and Simon's The Secret Garden when it initally opened on Broadway. It is such a beautiful, charming, and wonderfully well-written show. About a year ago, I picked up the more recent OLCR. I was surprised to find the show was so extensively re-written for the London version. While I definitely hear enhancements to the score (I can't even bring myself to say improvements), I am really surprised that they felt it needed to be re-written at all. It was wonderful to begin with. But, at the same time, I am happy that they did, because we get the benefit of having two truly wonderful versions and recordings of this great show. Does anyone know why it was re-written? And, which version/recording do you prefer?

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 1:09am

The Broadway. I don't dislike the London, but I knew the Broadway version long before I heard the london one, so I think I'm just accustomed to it.

[Loge]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 1:12am

Gosh, "The Girl I Mean To Be" is simply wonderful on the OLCR. I just love them both so much....it's a tough choice.

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 8:46am

It was rewritten because the writers weren't content with the show.

I don't think either version works especially well, although there's a lot of strong music in the score. It's still a very inconsistent work.

[Broadway Matt]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 8:55am

that's Ruffelle's daughter on the OLCR, right?

[Carl Magnum]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 8:57am

Neither version. The musical is still dry and boring. I have never found anything I can like about this show at all.

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 9:06am

I haven't heard the London one, but I absolutely love the Broadway one. I guess I should check out the OLCR and compare, but I don't really see a need for a change in the Broaddway one, so I'd like to hear what they felt needed to be improved.

[Broadway Matt]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 9:14am

I really can't enjoy either of those because the 1st time I heard the musical, it was the Australian 8-song sampler with Anthony Warlow and Philip Quast. The Lily's Eyes on that sampler should be a national treasure among the nation of Showtune Fans.

[LoringsGuy]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 9:31am

Philip Quast pales in comparison to the majesty that is Anthony Warlow.

Warlow blows Patinkin (from the OBC) out of the water, for that matter.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 9:43am

I like both recordings, but prefer the Broadway version overall. I didn't like The Girl I Mean to Be on the OLC. The OBC had a stronger melody.

[Broadway Matt]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 9:46am

this is true about Quast and Warlow. But when they sing together, it is wonderful indeed. And I'd say Quast blows Westenberg out of the water! and that's hard to do!

[Loge]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 10:19am

Ok, I did a little research. The reason for the changes is the book which the musical is based on is, I guess, nearly a national treasure in England, and the creators felt the liberties they took with the story, in the U.S., wouldn't fly in the U.K. Interesting!

I love both. And, I think "The Girl I Mean To Be" is so touching and beautiful on the OLCR.

[Bill63]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 12:03pm

I saw the Broadway Production 7 times and the London Production during out-of-town try outs in Stratford-upon-Avon twice. The major difference between the productions was the use of the chorus. In the Broadway production the chorus was made-up of the dead characters from India. In the London production they had generic characters from India in the beginning, but for the rest of the show the chorus was mainly the manor staff. By doing this they added more dance by the chorus and tried to make the show less dark. They also cut out two of my favorite songs. ("The House uppon the Hill" and "Quartet") I strongly prefered the Broadway Production.

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 12:39pm

Really, the lyrics to 'House Upon the Hill' are irrelevant. It's just wallpaper surrounding a ton of exposition.

Nice song but easy to cut.

[Loge]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 1:46pm

I agree. I love the song, but it's not necessary. I think the London show sounds more polish. The orchestrations are much more layered and more creative...but both are so good.

[MagicToDo82]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 12:30am

I happen to like the OBC for John Cameron Mitchell and Alison Fraser. But I bow down to the majesty of Philip Quast and Anthony Warlow.

[B.B. Wolf]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 12:50am

Wonderful Show. Australian Cast is the best. Warlow is a god.

[Mercutio121687]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 1:04am

I first saw the show when I was playing Louis in 'The King and I.' It was the other show in a summer stock rep season in Jekyll Island, Georgia. While I had a role in the Kind and I it was not until I saw 'The Secret Garden' that I truly developed a strong interest in Musical theatre. And now, six years later as a high school junior the show has still stuck with me. The music is gorgeous, the story classic and the overall production is just fantastic.

On the original broadway, the cast is indeed superb. Mandy Patinkin touches every part he takes on with sensitivity and his beautiful expressive voice is perfect. Westenberg is AMAZING, as usual. In london, Philip Quast does a wonderful job, but it just doesn't seem right. When one hears the Australian recording, we see why. He was made to play Neville. He was absolutely perfect. And I've had the pleasure of hearing (bootleg...not mine!) Warlow do the entire show and he is so dramatic and so haunting as Archibald, you just can't compare. He truly is a vocal god. He's just amazing. And his interpretation is so intense it's wonderful.

So If you are simply discussing London vs. Broadway, Broadway takes the cake. However, the australian recording is the best of the three.

[B.B. Wolf]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 1:07am

True, Mercutio. I've *cough* heard the whole Australian show too and Warlow's simply perfection in the role.

[Broadway Matt]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 1:13am

I've heard the full Australian recording as well and can think of no more perfect cast than that. Oh, if there are any narcs here, I was listening to it for medicinal reasons. It's for my glaucoma.

[B.B. Wolf]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 1:24am

I personally think they should legalize.....um.....bootlegs.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 1:27am

welcome to the boards, meructio!


I adoe the Scetret Garden. each recording has it's strong points and it's faults

[Broadway Matt]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 1:35am

i'm enjoying bootlegs right now

... is something I would say if I were a terrorist

[B.B. Wolf]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 1:56am

Of course, if we DON'T listen to the bootlegs, we let the terrorists win.

[Mercutio121687]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 2:01am

Thank you for the welcome, I really appreciate it! I spend a lot of time on this website and I'm a performer myself (aspiring to do it through college and professionally) so i figure this is a great place to learn new things and discuss what I love!