Elements of sadness, hope, joy and courage artistically bloom in the Cowichan Theatre Friday during Ballet Victoria’s unique version of The Secret Garden and Selected Works.

BV’s artistic director Paul Destrooper leads his dancers through the troupe’s adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s 1910 novel that’s been recreated for stage and screen.

Destrooper’s production involving Nancy Angermeyer’s visual artwork is set to Haydn’s piano trio and performed to live music.

Selected works include what the troupe says are surprise ballets by guest dancers, a piece by choreographer Bruce Monk set to Pink Floyd’s music, plus an award-winning piece called Belong by Canadian choreographer Norbert Vesak.

The theatre’s technical director Mike Schaefer notes Ballet Victoria will use two gifts, valued at some $16,000, from the Friends of the Cowichan Theatre during Friday’s performance.

Dancers will use a new dance floor illuminated by six custom portable lighting booms from the Friends.

Friday’s main work, The Secret Garden, centres on sickly orphan Mary Lennox who’s sent back to England from India to live on a manor spread owned by her legal guardian Archibald Craven, a reclusive widower.

Craven still mourns his late wife, and constantly travels abroad to dodge his sad memories. So Mary is left under the care of Craven’s housekeeper, Mrs. Medlock.

Then chambermaid Martha Sowerby tells Mary of a walled garden that was the late Mrs. Craven’s favourite place.

No one has entered the garden since she died because Archibald locked its entrance and buried the key.

But Mary finds the key to the secret garden and a robin shows her where the door is hidden beneath overgrown ivy.

Once inside, she discovers although the roses seem lifeless, some of the other flowers have survived and she resolves to tend the garden herself.

Thanks to her newfound interests, friends and activities, Mary herself begins to blossom, losing her sickly look and unpleasant manner.

Destrooper’s deft touch should help Secret Garden and selected works come alive during BV’s valley visit.

Destrooper joined the Royal Winnipeg Ballet Company in 1993.

He was a principle dancer with the Alberta Ballet for two seasons and Oregon Ballet Theatre from 2003 until 2007.

Destrooper has performed many lead roles in classical and contemporary repertoire internationally to rave reviews. His stage work includes productions of Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet and other ballets.

Your ticket:

What: Ballet Victoria’s The Secret Garden

When: Nov. 13, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Cowichan Theatre

Tickets: $40, $20 students, $5 eyeGO. Call 250-748-7529