THE Royal Shakespeare Company's winter season kicks off on Monday with a musical production of The Secret Garden, based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

In a lonely manor house on the Yorkshire Moors, Archibald Craven's yearning for his late wife leads him to become even more isolated and remote from his crippled son.

But their lives are turned upside down following the arrival of young Mary Lennox, who is sent to live with them after the death of her parents in India.

Mary finds a secret walled garden hidden in the grounds and releases the magic and adventure locked inside it.

The story of lost love, passion and discovery takes place at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre until January 27 and tickets are available from the box office on 01789 403403.