Forget swiping left and right: those days were all about awkward tea parties involving you, your loved one and the rest of the rubber-necking family. Then there were the chaperoned walks – along Devonshire clifftops in highly inappropriate shoes. Not to mention the calling cards, meaningful gifts, letter writing and all those behind the scenes discussions about who was worth what.
However well you could entertain the post-dinner guests with some light piano playing, singing and poetry, if you were at the bottom of that social ladder you had your work cut out for you when it came to finding a half-decent husband. Which is obviously all that matters in life…
Jane Austen wrote brilliantly about all the social shenanigans of her time. Jessica Swale has adapted Sense and Sensibility beautifully for the stage.
This delightful play is fresh and fun, with Austen’s sharp wit at the fore.
It is brought to life by a team of talented actors. The Dashwood family, who have fallen on hard times following the death of the head of the family, are a joy to watch as they navigate the tricky route to the ultimate goal – a wedding. Or, better still, two weddings.
Every emotion comes into play – there’s lashings of love, followed by the inevitable heartbreak, a near-death experience and some dodgy relatives. Plus lots of laughs.
The three Dashwood sisters are wonderful, from sensible Elinor (Sarah Kempton) and creative Marianne (Alice Imelda) to the younger Margaret (Lydea Perkins) who races around, full of youthful energy and delight.
Add to this a great selection of other characters – each cleverly portrayed.
They all deserve praise but I’d like to give a special mention to Christine Entwisle, who sashayed between playing the horrible Aunt Fanny and hilarious Mrs Jennings. She was fantastically funny.
TV adaptations of Sense and Sensibility have been full of fabulous shots of Devonshire beaches, high society London balls, pretty frocks and grand homes.
Theatre by the Lake’s team did a grand job of conjuring up remote, atmospheric beaches and life in those days.
I have to confess that Jane Austen is not really my cup of tea – but I enjoyed this immensely. It’s a fabulous final summer season production, the perfect accompaniment to a great range of plays on offer.
Sense and Sensibility, adapted by Jessica Swale, is on at Theatre by the Lake in Keswick until October 27.
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