EMMA: Pomeroy/Saunders from Austen: tour till 01 12 01

EMMA: Adapted Sue Pomeroy/ Dennis Saunders from Jane Austen
Good Company: Tour info 01273 606652
Runs: 2h 45m, till 1st December
Review: Rod Dungate, Alexandra Theatre, Bham: 3rd October 2001

A clear straightforward telling of the story, but not an exciting evening in the theatre, it lacks attitude.
As a straightforward adaptation of Jane Austin's novel, this production is good, the story told clearly and staightforwardly. While this may pass a pleasant enough evening in the theatre (or a means whereby students studying the novel underpin their knowledge) it doesn't make for an exciting evening in the theatre.

Sue Pomeroy, who directs and co-adapted with Dennis Saunders, who designs, has not taken an attitude to her work. It's as if she has no clear idea why it would be a good idea to see this novel on stage.

The adaptation lacks shape in dramatic terms: it is a series of episodes which show little dynamic variety. Pomeroy is uncertain about her style too, the lengthy passages of direct address from Emma feel awkward and do little either to enlighten us or take us more into the main character's mind.

Pomeroy, in both direction and adaptation, has failed to transpose the language from written to dramatic: the acting company are often left mouthing a formal language which gets in the way of any relationships they are trying to develop. It's not that the acting is bad, it's rather that the script gets in the actors' way.

Laura Howard plays Emma, the young woman who can't stop meddling in people's marriage prospects and gets it wrong: she bridges the gap between Austin's world and, if not mine, various other people's 21st Century world. She is pleasant on the face of it but incredibly irritating too, a considerable achievement and just the effect Austin was after.

Other performances well worth watching are Anthony Washington as Mr Elton (a pity his part falls away in the second half) and Sally Ann Burnett who doubles as Miss Bates and Mrs Elton. Her Mrs Elton is quite outrageous and brings some welcome vigour to an otherwise sluggish evening.

Mr Woodhouse: Jonathan Cecil
Emma Woodhouse: Laura Howard
George Knightley: Dominic Taylor
Harriet Smith: Katherine Kerrow
Robert Martin: Gavin Spokes
Mrs WEston/ Jane Fairfax: Victoria Newlyn
Mr Elton: Anthony Washington
Miss Bates/ Mrs Elton: Sally Ann Burnett
Frank Churchill: Antony Bartlett

Director: Sue Pomery
Design: Dennis Saunders
Lighting: Dave Hill

2001-10-04 10:40:10