Writer: Jane Austen
Adapter and Director: Lowell Walker
Outdoor theatre can be a jolly affair, so with the picnic put to the side the play begins. The audience is invited to the Matchmakers Ball. Instruction is given in the art of simple etiquette and dance movements. It sets the light hearted tone for the play ahead.
Jane Austen’s novel Sense and Sensibility adapted by Lowell Walker, transports you to the Regency era of 1811. Walker has added an excellent dash of comedy to his script. There is a good measure of romance and heartbreak.
The sensible, older sister Elinor and her younger, impulsive sister Marianne Dashwood find themselves without fortune or standing in society on the death of their father. Their family home is bequeathed to their step brother and his obnoxious wife Fanny.
Their distant cousin, Sir John Middleton invites them to reside at Barton cottage on his property in Devonshire. The pursuit of love and marriage flourishes for the Dashwood sisters but they are hampered by the constraints of Regency society and the sisters’ opposing natures.
Edward, Fanny’s brother falls in love with Elinor. The feelings are mutual but an anticipated proposal of marriage is slow in coming. In the meantime, Marianne falls for the jaunty Willoughby, working her way into his affections. Marianne has another suitor the enigmatic Colonel Brandon.
This play is a delightful romp through the vagaries of love, misery, sense and sensibility and which path to follow. Elinor (Naomi Moffat-Cook) and Marianne (Angharad Mortimer) search out a suitable match to bring them good fortune. The two sisters sing harmoniously together, quarrel and are exasperated with each other but their sisterly love is undisputed.
Comedy abounds in the stilted, reserved manner of Edward’s (Stuart Reid) emotions for Elinor. To quote Edward when talking about the sisters, “A deflection of mind is somewhat lifted by their presence”. But that is not Reid’s only role. He dons an ill-fitting wig to assume the role of Sir John Middleton and a bonnet when playing the fickle and frumpish Lucy Steele.
John Willoughby (Magnus Gordon) swaggers about with undeniable aplomb. Gordon raises many a laugh when playing the role of the mean-spirited Fanny Dashwood, carrying a black parasol and drab empire style coat over his manly attire. Grant’s other role is that of Colonel Brandon who in contrast to the rakish Willoughby is upstanding in his morals, a confirmed bachelor until he is besotted by Marianne.
The audience is engaged not only by the antics on stage but are invited to partake in a parlour game to discover if they are governed more by sense or sensibility. John Willoughby invites us to sing along with him in the lyrics of “Leave Her Johnny”.
The simple stage, lighting and lack of props and even the threat of rain did nothing to dint the enjoyment of the performance. The sound carried well in the out of doors location.
An aim of Heartbreak Productions is to tell stories that inspire, entertain, challenge and help us come to a better understanding of human beings and how we can live together. Certainly, in Sense and Sensibility they have admirably achieved that goal.
Reviewed on 23rd June. Touring nationwide.
