Little Women

Writer Peter Clapham’s play “Little Women” first published in 1976 is adapted from the enduring classic and critically acclaimed 1868 novel of the same name by Louisa May Alcott and appears to follow faithfully the story as told in the novel. The play is about the coming of age of the March sisters Meg, Jo, Beth, Amy and their friendship with the boy next door, Laurie, through both the good and bad times.They grow up happily together in the state of Massachusetts during the American Civil War, living in gentile poverty and are awaiting news of the fate of their father a preacher who has gone to war. 

The play was Directed by Zoe Jones with the help of Assistant Director /Stage Manager, Ali Vardy and Producer Ian Robinson. They had assembled a talented cast and together they brought this lovely story to life. The cast all suited their roles bringing all Louisa May Alcott’s wonderful characters to life in front of us on the stage. However, important parts of the action in this play centres around the two older sisters, Meg played by Ellie Lewis the eldest daughter, a girl who is growing up and leaving childhood behind, developing a woman’s feelings and outlook on life. Ellie produced an excellent characterisation and performance, she was able to highlight the confusion Meg felt wanting to still have fun with her sisters and yet looking forward and anticipating the changes that are coming in her life.

Ellie worked excellently with Zoe Watts as Jo who produced a compelling performance of a high spirited  enthusiastic girl writing and acting out stories,obsessed with the dramatic and wanting to live her life and do the things that society would frown upon for a women in 19th-century America. Zoe had great stage presence and maintained her character throughout the performance, she also had some wonderful facial expressions. Then we have the two younger sisters, gentle shy Beth played by Ava Walsh and the rather self-centred beauty, Amy played by Hermione Jones, who both produced lovely spot on characterisations and complemented each other and the two older sisters beautifully. Joanne Robinson as Mother was the glue that held the family together and Joanne’s lovely performance was very believable making their relationship as a family very convincing. The family were also supported by their maid Hannah nicely played by Hannah Liddell who you also felt was part of the family. There was a very good performance by James Clow as the Marsh’s neighbour and friend Laurie who becomes an integral part of the group and a close friend of Jo’s, his character fitted into the family dynamic very well. Then we had Kate Fazakerley as the indomitable no nonsense Aunt March who just suited the part excellently and you could hear every word she said. The remaining cast members supported the principle cast very well  producing good characterisations and included, David Hartley as Mr Lawrence, Marcus Van De Berg as Mr Brook And Fraser Bruce as Mr March.

However, just to be constructive, personally, I think some of the cast needed to work on their diction and projection as unfortunately it was a little hard to hear some of the dialogue at times. However it did not spoil my enjoyment of the evening. The pace of the play was just right and there was also excellent use of the stage area.

One of the best things about doing a CADOS review is seeing what kind of set the stage crew are able to come up with. In this play all the action takes place on one set and I have to say what was produced was very well designed and excellently dressed with well researched period props and, along with the wonderful spot-on costumes, the audience were taken back to eighteen sixties New England America - they also produced a great platform for the cast to perform on. Well done to the set designers Mike and Susan Taylor and all the stage crew, Sandra Dickinson and Charades for the wonderful costumes, Rebecca Moran and the props crew for the well throughout props and also Paul Carr and the CADOS production crew for there professional sound and lighting, which all contributed to the authenticity and the success of this play. 

Congratulations to everyone involved in bringing this lovely enjoyable production to the stage it was a pleasure to watch. Thank you very much for inviting us.

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