Emma

Fiona Douglas  Reviews at The Rep Birmingham

“I am going to take a heroine whom no one but myself will much like”
 

It's been nearly 250 years since 39-year-old Jane Austen wrote Emma, and if you have never read this classic novel, you can be sure you have watched a film or two with this straightforward, yet interwoven plot of love, mingling and mishaps.  

 India Shaw-Smith portrays the high-spirited Emma Woodhouse, and having introduced her beloved governess, Miss Taylor, to her future husband, Mr Weston, Emma is now determined not to marry, and feels that match-making or meddling in others' affairs is her exciting new role.  Her counterpart, the handsome bachelor Mr Knightly (Ed Sayer), attempts to undo Emma's efforts, yet they find themselves in the middle of a sensitive dilemma that brings them on a journey of self-discovery and maybe even love.  

The supporting cast was an ensemble of endearing and charismatic characters, the naïve, but sweet  Harriet Smith ( played beautifully on the night by understudy Lukwesa Mwamba), as well as the smitten Philip Elton (Oscar Batterham), and the torn Jane Fairfax (Jade Kennedy) but the star of the night has to be majestic Mr Woodhouse, played by the esteemed William Chubb.  He played the elderly, paranoid, yet lovable head of the household with the relatable grumpiness, wit and vulnerability of the older family members.     

 

 

Director Stephen Unwin brings the production to the Birmingham Rep, delivering an accessible and entertaining production, along with his fantastic cast and crew, who, together, all bring this timeless novel to life.  Witty and chucklesome lines, delivered against a simple and stripped-back set with charismatic characters, all making for an entertaining and uplifting evening.  I found myself genuinely beaming during the last few scenes, and on the way home, I reflected on how a period performance could remain relevant in today's modern world.  This gives full credit to the writing of Jane Austen, showing her writing stands the test of time.  

 

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Currently running until Saturday, 4th October. 

Photography by Simon Annand