Local resident stars in The Secret Garden production by Julia Le Oakville Beaver Staff 21 | Friday, February 21, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Oakville resident Harrison Bruce has caught the acting bug. After performing in his school's production of The Little Mermaid last year, the Grade 5 Glenburnie School student has set his sight on the bigger community stage. The 11-year-old will be playing a lead role among a cast of 30 people performing and singing as part of Meadowvale Theatre's production of The Secret Garden. The Mississauga show at 6315 Montevideo Rd. opens tonight (Feb. 21) at 8 p.m. and continues Feb. 22, 27, 28 and Mar. 1 at 8 p.m., with matinée performances Feb. 23 and Mar. 1 and 2 at 2 p.m. The show, written by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Marsha Norman, puts a spin on the children's literature classic by Frances Hodgson by adding musical are to the story of orphan Mary Lennox. The 11-year-old returns to Yorkshire to live with her embittered, reclusive Uncle Archibald and his invalid son Colin Craven, played by Harrison. The estate's hidden garden beckons the children with haunting melodies, and the "dreamers," spirits from Mary's past, guide her through her new life. Music is by Lucy Simon. Harrison, who will also be performing in his school's spring production of Willy Wonka Junior, said he's excited about appearing centre stage to a larger audience. It's been a fun experience making friends with cast members and overcoming the challenges of learning all his lines and putting an accent for his character, he noted. Harrison adds he hopes residents will come out to see the show. "I'm thinking they'll take away a sense of magic and love," he said. The Secret Garden is part of the Meadowvale Theatre's Encore Series. Tickets cost $28 for adults and $26 for students. To purchase tickets visit www.mtix.ca or call 905-615-4720. Oakville resident Harrison Bruce (right) plays Colin Craven in Meadowvale Theatre's production of The Secret Garden, which opens this weekend. To his left is Avery Kadish playing the role of Mary Lennox. | photo by Lorne Kadish Future of hospital lands to be discussed on Council Matters The future of the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital (OTMH) lands is being discussed on the next episode of Council Matters. It will examine potential Town of Oakville plans to transform the OTMH lands into a medical or seniors' facility by working with the Province's Local Health Integration Network to explore the possibility. The episode airs Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. on the topical news weekly show on Cogeco, Channel 23. It will re-broadcast Feb. 26 and Mar. 2 at 1 p.m., and Mar. 3 at 4:30 p.m. The episode features guest speakers David Mallen from Trafalgar Chartwell Residents' Association, Janet HaslettTheall from Joshua Creek Residents' Association, Andrea Stewart from the Oakville Historical Society, and some town councilors. Oakville Mayor Rob Burton plays host to the show, which debuted earlier this month. He said viewers are encouraged to tap into the "pulse of what's happening at a local level." "As host, I look forward to candid conversations with our guests and getting to the heart of issues that affect our everyday lives and the complexion of our community," he said in a press release. Past episodes examined Oakville's leadership role in providing great customer service, the Town of Oakville, Halton Region and Oakville Community Foundation and other charitable organizations role in helping the less fortunate in our community and expectations for the new Oakville hospital. 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