If you “missed” this classic romantic novel during high school, chances are you simply fell asleep - which is entirely understandable. Its Victorian language and formal social commentary makes for fairly dull reading. So how does this 2011 adaption by American writer Jon Jory stack up on stage?
Under the guidance of director Paul Carding, not badly at all.
'Sense and Sensibility' is the story of sisters’ Elinor (Tallulah Grey) and Marianne Dashwood (Sasha Barclay) who respectively represent the ‘sense’ and ‘sensibility’ of the title. When it comes to love they are polar opposites. Elinor is tempered and rational, while Marianne is romantic, impulsive and full of youthful passion. Together, with their mother, and stepbrother John Dashwood (Alex Porteous) they make up the Dashwood family.
Henry Dashwood, their father, has just died and abiding by the rules of inheritance, has left the bulk of his estate to his eldest son from the first marriage – effectively leaving Elinor and Marianne penniless. The sisters are forced to leave the comforts of the family home - Norland Park - and relocate to Barton Cottage in chilly Devonshire, but their lack of fortune affects their marriage prospects.
When Elinor forms an attachment for the wealthy Edward Ferrars (James Devitt), his family disapproves and separates them. And though Mrs. Jennings (Phillipa Bowes) tries to match the worthy (and rich) Colonel Brandon (Marselan Wignall) to her, Marianne finds the effusive and fiery John Willoughby (Riley McNamara) more to her taste.
Jory's adaptation smooths some of the rough edges of the original work and simplifies what is a complex story, but in doing so he sacrifices he some of the subtleties of the literary work.
He makes Lucy Steele (Anna Porter) more guileless and John Willoughby less sympathetic than I remember them but overall, he captures the book's social commentary, humor and spirit - relying heavily on Austen's own dialogue. Director Paul Carding has assembled a good cast with thirteen players taking to the boards. There's not a poor performer among them and that includes minor roles such as that of the Dashwoods' neighbor, Sir John Middleton (John Grey). Georgia Kaytos is believable as widower and family matriarch Mrs Henry Dashwood while Heiti Miller delivers a solid performance as Mrs. John Dashwood.
But the show's success really does rest on the Dashwood sisters, and Grey and Barclay manage to breathe life into their respective roles and succeed in giving this production sufficient pace to keep it interesting.
In a nutshell, Paul Carding’s interpretation of Jane Austen's classic novel 'Sense and Sensibility' works well and the cast has clearly spent time developing, rehearsing and embodying their characters.
★★★☆☆1/2
'Sense and Sensibility' plays the Brisbane Arts Theatre 11 June-23 July.
