Emma

After the success of ‘Pride and Prejudice’, my husband and I were greatly anticipating another wonderful adaptation by writer Andrew Davies. I am so pleased to say that it met all our expectations. The understated set design and exquisite period costumes allowed each character to develop fully as the complex narrative progressed.

The principal cast delivered excellent performances, with Rose Kenny excelling as Emma and Alice Edwards convincingly portraying her older sister Isabellawho is married to Mr John Knightly (Richard Morelli) The believable casting supported a story where Emma’s misguided matchmaking attempts lead to various complications, particularly involving Harriet Smith (Ellie Chapman) and Mr Elton (Sion Grace). Notably, Aoife O’Gorman stood out in her brief but pivotal role as Mr Elton’s new and somewhat pretentious wife. Ultimately, Harriet is reunited with Robert Martin (Thomas Holden), accepting his second proposal thanks to Emma’s efforts.

We also meet Frank Churchill  (Adam Turner)  whom we learn  is secretly engaged to Jane Fairfax (Phoebe Dann  this was revealed to all following her visit to her Grand mother Mrs Bates (Jill Laurie) and her Aunt Miss Bates (Kathy Buckingham- Underhill) so no matchmaking remains to be done there except maybe for Emma herself who finds herself realising she is falling head over heels for her friend and confidant Mr Knightly (Chris Bird) she finally accepts his proposal and the play finishes with them going on to live their life of perfect happiness.

Lauren McCann, Steve Sandayand Jane Yates played the servant/maids/ footman and also assisted the cast bymovingthe propseffectively taking us seamlessly from scene to scene.This itself takes many hours of rehearsal.

The Creative and crew team at Talisman always undertake to do a professional job in all areas. The superb period costumes I’m sure assisted with the actor's characters as did of course thelighting when setting the mood of the play. Unusually we found the dialogue a little hard to hear on the night I attended, but onlywhen actors were positioned upstage.

Congratulations to all involved,yet  another WORLD PREMIERE at The Talisman Theatre.

 

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