Director/Adaptor: Lowell Walker
Writer: Jane Austen
The setting for this production of Sense and Sensibility could not have been better – Heartbreak Productions specialise in outdoor touring theatre, and this performance was in the gardens of The Old Deanery in Ripon, a grand old manor house opposite the Cathedral in the city. The cast of four had a small stage and a few stage blocks set up on the lawn, with guests bringing their own picnic blankets or chairs, along with a great many layers. This is, after all, a British summer time production, and is running here as part of the Ripon Theatre Festival 2023 offering.
The show is well directed by Lowell Walker, with a choice made to have the actors already out and milling with the audience before it begins. This provided an amusing juxtaposition between the beautifully formal language and intonation of the 1800s with discussions over bags of sweets, programmes and card payments. A thoroughly acceptable way to break the fourth wall, setting the tone for the play itself, which jumped between moments of comedy, drama and a good deal of audience participation, panto style. Regency era party goers did love their parlour games, so this was a clear nod to the more playful side of the Georgians.
The Dashwood sisters, refined and sensible Elinor and chaotic but joyful Marianne were played warmly and effortlessly by Naomi Moffat-Cook and Angharad Mortimer who had a very natural-seeming relationship, able to convey both the joy and frustration of sisterhood well. There was a good dose of humour injected into their interactions, through their body language and the odd well-placed eye-roll or eyebrow raise.
The task of playing the horrible Frances ‘Fanny’ Dashwood fell to Magnus Gordon, who, in this pared down production, also played Mr Willoughby and Colonel Brandon. A quick change of a coat, hat and the adoption of a different voice and affectation and he was able to flit between characters in seconds. Versatile and witty throughout the play, Gordon’s final scene as Willoughby was a beautiful contrast as he presented the real emotion of the character, leaving the audience almost feeling sorry for him.
Stuart Reid completed the cast as the slightly serious, slightly sappy Edward Ferrars and an excellent match for Elinor. However, Reid also managed to play Sir John Middleton with a Scottish accent (his family hail from that way) as well as Lucy Steele, to whom Edward is secretly engaged. Once again this called for numerous hat and wig changes, along with some hilarious feminine postures and poses. Reid did an excellent job throughout of becoming each character in an instant so that it was never confusing.
This is a very interactive show, the audience were encouraged to get up and learn a few regency dance steps, and to play some large scale parlour games with the cast. While very amusing, this does lengthen the show a little. The first act was just over an hour and ten minutes, which is a long time to sit outside in the cool of the evening. The second half ran at just over an hour for the same reason. It is clear to see why these moments are in the show and it does inject a good deal of humour into the proceedings, but it does make for a longer production than some may wish for.
Heartbreak Productions are also touring David Walliams’ Bad Dad and MacHamLear, a mash up of the three Shakespeare Plays. If either of these shows have anything like the energy and skill for retelling well known stories, then they may definitely be worth a watch.
Reviewed on 9th June 2023.
