THE Secret Garden, at the Garrick Playhouse, can reduce the hardest of hearts to jelly because it’s all about the best side of human nature.

With book and lyrics by Marsha Norman and based on Frances Hodgson Burnett’s 1911 tale, it tells of Mary Lennox, orphaned in India and sent to live with her reclusive uncle, widower Archibald Craven (Joshua Lloyd).

There, she not only discovers Colin, a lonely child invalid, but a secret garden once cultivated by her late aunt She brings it to life which helps to heal inner wounds both she and Colin share.

The music is by composer, Lucy Simon and performed by an orchestra directed by Mark Goggins.

Without exception, every singer has great musicality but it is Joshua Lloyd who stands out. His voice is positively operatic.

The remarkable thing is that this production is led by children. In particular, eight-year-old Alice Cross who plays young Mary. She sings and interacts with a poise beyond her years. On stage most of the time, you can hear her every word.

Eleven-year-old Theo Hill plays Colin, who believes he will die before he grows up.

Rugged country boy Dickon is 21-year-old David Beeby.

I also single out Sasha Carrillo de Albornoz as Colin’s spirit-like mother, Lily, and Pippa Greenhalgh who appears as Mary’s late mother, Rose.

This show owes much to the imaginative direction of Joe Meighan.

* The Secret Garden is at Altrincham Garrick Playhouse until Saturday, March 1l. To book, telephone 0161 928 1677 or online. Star rating: * * * * *