By Michelle Rawlins – reviewed at Lyceum, Sheffield
This delightful and sumptuous adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma is a visual feast, laced with humour and mischief.
Ryan Craig has put his own comedic slant on the 19th century novel, enthralling the audience with laughter-inducing witty one-liners.
But despite the amusing modern take, this is still a play that centres on manners and class, rooted in the rural setting of 1815 Surrey.
As you would expect there is much pomp and regency, supported by Ceci Calf’s opulent costumes and elegant set. The ladies don beautiful period gowns, the well-to-do gentleman are dashing, and the stage transports you from candlelit drawing rooms to rolling countryside.
There are omissions from the original 400-page novel, which any Austen fan will spot, including Emma’s concerns for others and her ongoing good works.
But this doesn’t distract from the brilliance of this fun and highly entertaining piece of theatre, which lasts for just over two hours. With thanks to movement and intimacy director, Natasha Harrison, the society dances are perfectly choreographed, while Ben Ormerod’s lighting ensures the mood and atmosphere move seamlessly between the morning dew and dramatic evening skies.
The plot centres around Emma’s inappropriate determination to play cupid, making it her mission to match-make bewildered orphan, the hapless Harriet Smith (Maiya Louise Thapa) with the somewhat stunned, local parson, Mr Elton (Oscar Batterham), despite the former’s love for the unassuming and loyal Farmer Robert.
India Shaw-Smith is marvellous as the meddlesome and interfering Emma. Her grace and magnetic presence, working in perfect harmony with her animated sideways glances or questioning lift of an eyebrow, ensuring she is fabulous and infuriating, in equal measure.
The exasperated George Knightly (Ed Sayer) does his best to tame Emma; his well-meaning criticism, alongside his detached persona, hiding his true heartfelt feelings for the play’s heroine.
Special mention must also be given to William Chubb as Mr Woodhouse, who perfectly assimilates the dithering, yet utterly charming and amiable, fretful sexagenarian.
All in all, under Stephen Unwin’s direction, old meets new in this deliciously delectable take on one of Austen’s timeless classics.
Emma is touring until November 15 2015
Tickets here
Images Simon Annand