Emma at Rose Theatre Kingston Review
Emma production image. Photo by Marc Brenner
Written by Jenna for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
Jane Austen’s classic tale is brought bang up to date with this reimagining, performed by a talented cast of actors with impeccable comic timing. It opens with our heroine dressed in the period costume you would recognise from Austen’s era, before we realise she is, in fact downing shots at a university costume party. Our Emma is an Oxford student who has to reluctantly return to her hometown in Essex after failing to attend her exams. There she is greeted by her adorably awkward best friend Harriet, her bridezilla sister Isabella and her Del Boy-esque father. As an Essex girl myself, I particularly enjoyed the topical humour and subtle stereotypes (‘Of course I’m an estate agent…look at me!).
Like the book, Emma is a fierce feminist, matchmaker, overachiever, and all-around know-it-all. Played by Amelia Kenworthy, making her professional debut, she plays the title character in such a clever way that you cannot fail to both love and hate her. Her genuine intentions and strong beliefs, combined with a complete lack of tact and self-awareness, may remind you of some of the younger generation’s ‘snowflake’ tendencies, showcasing how characters from a classic novel can be adapted to modern-day society.
The contemporary comedic writing in Emma is, without a doubt, some of the best I have ever encountered. Every line of Ava Pickett’s witty script is delivered perfectly by each and every cast member, under the superb direction of Christopher Hayden. Their delivery of lines, mannerisms, and facial expressions were faultless and had the audience (myself included) roaring with laughter. In fact, my only criticism would be that the cast could have perhaps allowed more time for the laughing to die down before continuing with their lines, as some of them were missed due to applause and laughter from the audience.
Lucy Benjamin, perhaps best known for her time on EastEnders, is wonderful as the lovable Essex beautician Mrs Bates, who is in a secret relationship with Emma and Isabella’s father. Her chemistry with TV favourite Nigel Lindsay, who plays Emma’s father, is something I particularly enjoyed. She delivers perhaps my favourite line of the play – “I feel like I’m in a f***ing period drama!’ - as she makes a Prosecco-fuelled rant about Emma’s behaviour. The F-word is perhaps the most frequently used in the script, which, in my view, only adds to the comedy and realism, but could upset more sensitive theatregoers.
Jessica Brindle is perfectly cast as Emma’s sister Isabella; I loved the contrast between the two characters and Jessica’s skills as a comedy actor, no doubt honed from her time at Sh*t-faced Shakespeare, are put to good use. The relationship between the sisters and their widowed father provided the audience with some truly touching moments, which moved me to tears. Being able to create a scene that makes you laugh and cry at the same time is a skill that writer Ava Pickett definitely has, and it makes for a special piece of theatre that I will not forget.
Sofia Oxenham also makes her professional debut as Harriet, Emma’s unlucky-in-love best friend, and despite how hilarious she is, she plays Harriet with such vulnerability that she instantly endears herself to the audience. Again, her comic timing was spot-on. In fact, each cast member deserves a mention for their performances. Adrian Richards as Isabella’s devoted husband-to-be, Bobby Lockwood as arrogant estate agent Elton, Josh Bilyard as sweet delivery man Rob, and Kit Young as Emma’s love/hate interest George are all a joy to watch, creating believable characters with depth and clear motives.
The set, a two-storey interior of the family’s Essex home, is impressive, and the cast themselves do all the scene changes, which worked well. Set and costume designer Lily Arnold understood the assignment when it came to creating the characters and atmosphere of Pickett’s adaptation. I thought that the lighting design and use of music was spot-on; creating atmosphere, seamlessly changing scenes, and adding to the comedy and drama of the play. The beautiful Rose theatre seems perfectly suited to this show, combining a well-loved period tale with modern-day humour, which makes Emma both an incredibly clever reimagining, and treat to watch from start to finish.
I highly recommend that you book to see Emma at The Rose Theatre in Kingston, running until 11th October.
★★★★★
