Beaumaris Theatre Inc. acknowledges the Bunurong People of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Owners of the land on which Beaumaris Theatre stands. We pay our respects to Victoria's First Peoples and their Elders past, present and emerging.
CONTENTS
Click on the headline below to jump through each section of the program.
ABOUT THE SHOW
DIRECTOR’S NOTES
CAST & CREATIVES
MEET THE TEAM
ABOUT BEAUMARIS THEATRE
The Secret Garden
The Secret Garden is based on Frances Hodgson Burnett’s popular novel about a young orphan who rediscovers the joys of life after finding a long-abandoned garden.
Mary Lennox, a spoiled, ill-tempered child, comes to live with her reclusive uncle in Misselthwaite Manor on England’s Yorkshire moors after the death of her parents. There she meets a hearty maid and her spirited brother, a dour gardener, a sour housekeeper, a cheerful robin, and her wilful, hysterical, and sickly cousin, Colin, whose wails she hears echoing through the house at night.
With the help of the robin, Mary finds the door to a secret garden, neglected and hidden for years. As the garden is transformed, Mary, Colin and eventually Mary’s uncle feel the magic of the garden and nature to bring new life and growth.
I have always loved escaping into stories and discovering hidden worlds. The mystery and wonder of the garden in Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden captured my imagination from the moment my mum introduced me to it. What is it about the Yorkshire moors that always captures the imagination?!
Family shows are a time-honoured tradition at Beaumaris Theatre, bringing generations together both on and off stage. It feels particularly special for me to be directing The Secret Garden because my first production with Beaumaris Theatre was a family show, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in 2005. Directed by the incomparable Debbie Keyt, being part of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was a formative experience in my life, and one that introduced me to this community that I deeply treasure. To now have the opportunity to direct The Secret Garden and contribute to this wonderful legacy is a true honour.
One of the greatest joys of this production has been watching our cast get to know each other and grow together, particularly our three young performers, who have embraced their roles with such dedication and heart. A big thank you to this extremely hardworking cast: Winnie, Ben, Max, Shelley, Caroline, Dan and Simon. Thank you for your passion and willingness to play.
I hope audiences leave the theatre reminded of the importance of friendship and connection, and inspired to look for magic and wonder in unexpected places. In a world that can sometimes feel busy and uncertain, The Secret Garden offers a gentle reminder that growth can come from the most unlikely beginnings, and that hope can flourish when we open ourselves to others.
Finally, my heartfelt thanks go to everyone who volunteered their time, talents and enthusiasm to bring this production to life. Thank you to Alarna and Georgy, who have been wonderful collaborators and helped nurture every part of this production. I am immensely grateful to Adam, Fred, Harrison, Jenni, Josh, and Sally, who, with the support of Anna, Chris and Pietro, have all created real magic with their work on the sets, sounds, lighting and costumes. Our crew of Adam, Alarna, Sam, Hal, Danielle and Daniel, led by the brilliant Sarah, have done such a brilliant job bringing all the magic of the garden to life.
Community theatre depends on the generosity of so many people, both on and off the stage, and this production is the result of countless hours of dedication and care. Thank you for helping create the magic, and thank you to our audiences for joining us on the Yorkshire moors.
Kristina Doucouliagos
Cast
Mary Lennox - Winnie Wilson - Phillips
Colin Craven - Ben Solomon
Dickon - Max Turner
Martha - Shelley Dunlop
Mrs Medlock - Caroline Kinnear
Ben Weatherstaff - Dan Bellis
Mr Craven - Simon Coles
creative team and crew
Director - Kristina Doucouliagos
Assistant Director and Assistant Stage Manager - Alarna Summers
Production Coordinator - Georgy Charles
Stage Manager - Sarah Gow
Costumes - Jenni Osburn
Set Design - Fred Pezzimenti
Scenic Artist - Sally Fleming
Set construction and dressing - Anna Vu, Chris Churchward, Fred Pezzimenti, Georgy Charles, Kristina Doucouliagos, Pietro Giordano and Sally Fleming
Lighting Design - Joshua Gardner
Sound Design - Adam Solomon
Original Music - Harrison Ewart - Dart
Lighting Operator - Sam Johnson with Daniel Ischia and Danielle Roche
Follow Spot Operator - Hal Foxworthy with Daniel Ischia and Danielle Roche
Sound Operator - Adam Solomon
Props - Sally Flemming and Kristina Doucouliagos
Auslan Interpreter - Auslan Stage Left
Marketing and program - Kristina Doucouliagos
Photography & videography - Tim Tselepis
Flier artwork - Ella Creaton
Front of House Coordinator - Fiona Williams
Front of House Manager - Adam Solomon
Box Office - Beaumaris Theatre Committee Members
Front of House Volunteers - Beaumaris Theatre Members & Friends
With very special thanks to Bayside City Council, Camilla Klesman, Natasha Rayner, PLOS, and our friends and family who donated plants for the garden
Winnie Wilson-Phillips - Mary
Winnie is thrilled and grateful to be performing Mary for her debut lead at Beaumaris Theatre. The Secret Garden was often read to Winnie when she was younger, and she is loving bringing the character to life. Just like Mary, she enjoys exploring nature and is thriving being a part of the community at Beaumaris Theatre.
Winnie began drama by chance. Three years ago her sister won a term class at BDC Drama in Ashwood, but the activity was not a good fit. Winnie asked if she could take her place and she's been hooked ever since.
Under the guidance of the magnificent Dee Whittington, Winnie genuinely enjoys finding the subtleties in the characters she embodies, being part of a production, and the confidence an audience’s attention can bring. In 2025, she joined her first cast, performing as an Oompa Loompa in Gemco Players Community Theatre’s production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. She has also shone at BDC Drama showcases and school productions at Parkhill Primary.
In her spare time, Winnie can be found collecting shells, squad swimming, bike riding, hiking, reading, listening to musicals, playing flute, board games and crafting.
Ben Solomon - Colin
Ben is excited to be back for his third production with Beaumaris Theatre, having previously been in Little Miss Sunshine and Jack & the Beanstalk.
2026 has been a busy year for Ben, with playing Lucas in The Addams Family Jnr (Kilbreda College) and The Kids are Alright (the Nuworks Theatre).
His other credits include ensemble in 42nd Street (Kilbreda College) and Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (the Nuworks Theatre).
Ben trains with D.K Productions and takes weekly singing lessons at St Bedes and has dance experience in Hip Hop and Jazz. He is also part of the St Bedes Vocal Ensemble, Drum Line and Jnr Debating Team.
Ben is loving playing the role of Colin in The Secret Garden and hopes you enjoy the production.
Max Turner - Dickon
Max made his major debut at age ten, starring as Spider in the ABC’s Planet Lulin, before sharing the screen with Jessica Mauboy in the Australian film Windcatcher (2023).
Committed to his development as an actor, Max’s training includes vocal coaching with Anna McCrossin-Owen and his current studies at Le Blanc Acting School.
Outside of acting, Max is a creative writer who loves screenwriting and making his own movies. He is also the co-host of the acting podcast Call Back Kids, and enjoys learning the guitar and producing music with his sister.
Shelley Dunlop - Martha
When Beaumaris Theatre stages an adaptation of a beloved children’s book set around the turn of the 20th century, Shelley is there!
She played Anne Shirley in Anne and Gilbert, an absolute dream role, in 2021, and she is very excited to be taking on the equally bubbly and playful Martha in The Secret Garden.
Shelley was most recently seen in the Green Room award-winning ensemble of The Grinning Man (Salty Theatre), in which she played Mother/Quake and covered Dea and Young Dea. Other favourite roles have included Deb in Ordinary Days (Life Story Theatre), Witch in Into The Woods (Aspect Inc.) and Irene in Anna Bella Eema (Melbourne Fringe).
She has musically directed Post (Something Blue Productions), The Girl Green As Elderflower (La Mama), among many others.
She has immensely enjoyed working with this wonderful team and hopes you enjoy what we’ve all grown together.
Caroline Kinnear - Mrs Medlock
Caroline is delighted to be treading the boards once again as Mrs. Medlock in Beaumaris Theatre’s production of The Secret Garden, an all-time favourite book from her childhood.
Caroline has a long-standing love of theatre. She has appeared in a wide variety of roles, including Gwendolen in The Importance of Being Earnest (Durham University Players); Brooke in Habeas Corpus (Hampton Theatre Company); Louise in Joking Apart (Peridot
Theatre Company); and Mrs. Davidson in Rain (Hartwell Players). Caroline has also appeared in various films and TV shows, including Neighbours and The Flying Doctors.
This role marks a return for Caroline to live theatre. For the past few years, she has taken time to explore another great joy for her – singing. She has sung and performed with a range of choirs, including most recently the highly regarded acapella ensemble South of the River Choir.
Caroline enjoys exploring the character of Mrs. Medlock in this production, and is extremely happy to be in this show with such a talented cast and crew.
Dan Bellis - Ben Weatherstaff
A Beaumaris Theatre regular, Dan is thrilled to be returning to the theatre for the staging of this classic text. He is also thrilled to be trying a new accent on for size.
2025 saw Dan involved in two productions at Beaumaris Theatre, including his MTGV-commended performance as Frank in Ladies in Black and as co-director for the sold-out production of Blackadder II.
Dan is excited to be back in collaboration with some of his favourite people, including director Kristina Doucouliagos, with whom Dan had the honour of co-directing PUFFS, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic in 2023.
After The Secret Garden, Dan will be performing in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time with Warrandyte Theatre Company in November.
Dan is a teacher of and fan of classic literature and is sure that you will be transformed by this beautiful production.
Simon Coles - Mr. Craven
Simon is delighted to be returning to Beaumaris Theatre for The Secret Garden.
Since entering the world of community theatre ten years ago, Simon has performed in a range of roles in both plays and musicals, most recently in the role of Douglas in Beaumaris’ recent Victorian premiere of Chalkface, and the Inspector in J.B. Priestley’s An Inspector Calls (Frankston Theatre Group).
When not performing, Simon is a secondary school teacher in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs and plays a variety of sports badly.
Simon is excited to be involved in Beaumaris Theatre’s 2026 family show and to be working with such a talented group of both young and experienced performers. He extends his sincere thanks to Beaumaris Theatre, the production team and the cast, and very much hopes you enjoy the performance.
Kristina Doucouliagos - Director
After falling in love with community theatre at the age of 12, Kristina has been fortunate enough to bring to life some of her favourite literary characters, including Lucy in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Amy in Little Women, Tinker Bell in Peter Pan and Cecily in The Importance of Being Earnest, for which she won a VDL Award for Best Actress in a Comedy.
Enjoying all aspects of theatre, Kristina has coordinated costumes and props, assistant directed and stage managed numerous productions, earning her a VDL Award for Costume Coordination for The Importance of Being Earnest and a VDL Adjudicators Award for Scene Change Design for The Shape of Things. This is Kristina’s fourth directorial endeavour, having previously directed Still Life, The Great Gatsby and co-directed PUFFs or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic.
A proud member of the Beaumaris Theatre Committee since 2009, Kristina has a little too much fun crafting content for the Theatre’s digital channels.
Kristina hopes that audiences enjoy stepping into the world of The Secret Garden as much as the team has enjoyed creating it!
Alarna Summers - Assistant Director & Assistant Stage Manager
Alarna has previously worked with Beaumaris Theatre as the Narrator in PUFFs or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic (2023) and was a writer and director for The Monologue Festival (2025).
This is her debut as a production team member for The Secret Garden, and she couldn’t be happier to be working under such a passionate group of people.
Alarna’s previous credits include Annette in Come From Away (Fab Nobs Theatre), Martha in Spring Awakening (MLOC - Guild Award Winner), and Abraham in Romeo & Juliet (Dionysus Theatre).
She has loved the opportunity to work with this kind and imaginative cast and crew and hopes you can revel in the magic they have created together.
Sarah Gow - Stage Manager
Sarah Gow grew up in the West Country of England, where her love for theatre began. Her career as a teacher has taken her to Germany and Vietnam, where she was a member of Hanoi International Theatre Company.
As mother of two girls, she recently reignited her passion in theatre as Ruth in Cosi, Mattie in Stage Door and Mrs Reece directing The Farndale Avenue’s, A Christmas Carol.
Sarah is now excited to support the talented actors on stage by dabbling in some stage management for The Secret Garden.
Jenni Osburn - Costume Coordinator
Jenni’s first show at Beaumaris Theatre in 2007 was A Midsummer Night’s Dream, with her daughter Leah and has since designed, created or sourced costumes for over 30 productions.
Some of her credits include Ladies in Black; Arsenic & Old Lace; Chicago; A Chorus Line; The Little Mermaid JR; The Sound of Music; Avenue Q; SNOOPY!!!; Anne & Gilbert- the Musical, PUFFS, Little Miss Sunshine and A Year with Frog and Toad.
Jenni is currently serving as Treasurer of Beaumaris Theatre and she is a very proud Life Member.
Fred Pezzimenti - Set Design
Fred has been involved in the theatre for over 45 years and has performed with and directed for many companies, including Opera Australia, MLOC, ASPECT Inc., PLOS, Panorama Theatre, ASPECT Inc and Melbourne Opera Company.
At Beaumaris Theatre, Fred has directed Dreamchild - Alice’s Musical Adventures, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, A Streetcar Named Desire, The Vicar of Dibley, Sweeney Todd - the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, August: Osage County and The Three Musketeers.
He has also designed sets and lighting for numerous productions, including Cosi, PUFFS, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic and Chalkface. Fred also spent many years as a member of the Beaumaris Theatre Committee.
Sally Fleming - Scenic Artist
Sally has been a friend of Beaumaris Theatre for over 15 years. In early 2024, she leapt at the chance of helping with A Year with Frog and Toad – and since then has all but moved into the theatre by employing her creative skills to help in one way or another with each production since, including set designs, set painting, crew, last-minute prop making, and “I have one at home” solutions.
In addition to many years of creating props and painting sets, Sally has been on stage as Miss Hannigan in Annie, Martha Watson in White Christmas, Hattie in Kiss Me, Kate and the Rose Seller/ Ensemble in Oliver.
Joshua Gardner - Lighting Designer
Having designed Beaumaris' production of Chalkface earlier this year, Josh is excited to be back helping to bring the Secret Garden to life with light!
Though a Gardner by name, his skills aren't green in the technical theatre space. They have been propagated by the likes of Come From Away (OSMaD); 42nd Street (Babirra); Arrgonauts, Destination Earth, On The Rise (Melbourne Fringe); Firebringer (UMMTA); and Fame, A Chorus Line, Chicago (Williamstown High School).
He is pleased with how this show has grown and looks forward to sharing its magic with you.
Sam Johnson - Lighting Operator
Sam first joined Beaumaris Theatre in 2014 when he was cast in 13 - A New Musical.
Sam has been in Beaumaris Theatre tech teams for Pillow Talk; Buddy- the Buddy Holly Story; Jack and the Beanstalk- a Pantomime; The Three Musketeers; A Year With Frog and Toad; The Bridges of Madison County; Ladies in Black and Blackadder II.
He was also on stage in Beaumaris Theatre’s The Little Mermaid JR and Anne & Gilbert – the Musical.
His other onstage roles include Cinderella; The Wiz; Legally Blonde; The Legends of the Skies and The Jewel by the Sea.
Hal Foxworthy - Spotlight Operator
The Secret Garden is Hal’s fourth time in the bio box at Beaumaris Theatre where they have become a valued member of the tech team.
They have operated the follow spot for The Bridges of Madison County and lighting and sound for Arsenic and Old Lace and Knife Edge.
Hal is also an actor, having participated in classes with D.K Productions since 2020 and in school productions including High School Musical, School of Rock and Alice in Wonderland.
Hal has an infectious passion for all things theatrical.
Harrison Ewart-Dart - Composer
Harrison has been studying music and theatre for the last 9 years, in particular for Classical Singing and Opera. He has performed with the Victorian Opera in their VOYCE program as well as the Young Australian Broadway Chorus in shows like Les Misérables and Cats.
During his time at Beaumaris Theatre, he has undertaken roles such as Lewis in Cosi and Cedric/Voldy in PUFFS.
Harrison was also the Music Director for Anne & Gilbert: The Musical, The Last 5 Years, and most recently, directed Little Miss Sunshine and Blackadder II.
Beaumaris Theatre was founded by Bill and Angela Martin in 1953. Bill and Angela were thespians who built a theatre in the attic of their home. It housed about twenty audience members and had a small stage and dressing room.
Soon the demand for tickets for these productions far exceeded the space available, so the Martins along with other members of the Beaumaris Players, worked very hard to have the theatre space we now know in Wells Road.
For the last 70 years, thespians from all walks of life and various backgrounds have been treading the prestigious boards laid by Bill and Angela. We are delighted to continue their legacy of producing theatre for the Bayside community and beyond.
BEAUMARIS THEATRE COMMITTEE
President - Debbie Keyt
Vice-President - Adam Solomon
Treasurer - Jenni Osburn
Secretary & Public Officer - Lynda French
Marketing Manager & Membership Secretary - Kristina Doucouliagos
Committee Members - Camilla Klesman, Deb Carpenter, Fiona Williams, Georgy Charles, Harrison Ewart-Dart and Stephen White.
BEAUMARIS THEATRE LIFE MEMBERS
Bill Martin; Angela Martin; Roger North; Esme North; Roy Baldwin; Bea Beckwith; Anne Lowe; Jean Freer; Beth Kelsall; John Rees-Osborne; Nancy Sutch-Taylor; Edda Dawson; Barbara Franks; Annie Laurenson; Jenny Mullholland; Stephen Mulholland; Don Strong; Taffy Strong; Michael Coultas; Graham Eddie; Derek Curd; Janine Chugg; Debbie Keyt; Robyn Morris; Steve Morris; Neil Barnett; Rhonda Vaughan; Vince Vaughan; Danny Forward; Jenni Osburn; Trevor Osburn; Kristina Doucouliagos; Fred Pezzimenti and Camilla Klesman.
Thank you to our supporters and sponsors for continuing to support Beaumaris Theatre.
