REVIEW: “Sense and Sensibility”, Attic Theatre

Tony Homer reviews Tread The Boards’ “Sense and Sensibility” at the Attic Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon.

Daughters, duty and dating, in deepest Devonshire.

On Tuesday night (27th June) the RSC were holding Press Night for ‘As You Like It’. I bumped into some old friends who had attended and they told me it was imperative that I should go and see this innovative new production. For my part, I countered by suggesting that they would be equally well served by seeing Sense & Sensibility at The Attic Theatre as performed by Tread The Boards. Not only would they get professional actors at a much better ticket price, but they would also enjoy two Shakespeare sonnets deployed with deep emotion, embedded in an adaptation of the Jane Austen classic. The Attic Theatre is situated directly opposite the RST so the comparison is worth mentioning. Everything I saw on Tuesday was worthy of their neighbours. 

Catherine Prout has done a tremendous job of converting the novel into a fast paced, multi layered, witty, dramatic and emotional piece of theatre. The scene changes are to be applauded for their consistently excellent use of movement, music and character; I particularly enjoyed the use of youngest Dashwood daughter Margaret and the silent interchanges between Willoughby and Brandon.

Mrs Dashwood (the sublime Lesley Wilcox) must navigate a future for her three daughters now their father has passed away and they are dependant on the charity of her half brother John and his wife Fanny (played exquisitely by Matilda Bott). Fanny is all smiles and kindness with a hard hearted centre, determined that the Dashwoods receive the bare minimum of assistance. Later in the play when the eldest daughter Elinor (Rosie Coles) is writing a list of groceries, we are reminded that they can no longer afford any form of extravagance, unlike their cousins. In an age when men are the source of income or inheritance and property is crucial we see the precarious plight of women who must make wise betrothals and maintain their reputation for fear of hindering their livelihoods.

Love is at the fore and centre of the piece and both Elinor and sister Marianne (Stephanie Riley) take differing paths on their pursuit of such. Elinor who does not wish to be “swayed by her emotions”, is sensibly enamoured by the pleasing yet steady approaches of Edward Ferrars (Robert Moore), whilst Marianne is prepared to dismiss the interests of the seeming unemotional Colonel Brandon (John-Robert Partridge) in favour of the all too dashing and romantic Willoughby (James Crellin). There is much confusion and misunderstanding brought on by silent reticence to explain matters immediately or because letters arrive that require an urgent return to London. Out of such missed opportunities, Marianne falls headlong for a man who has in fact been disinherited and actually needs to marry for money. Riley’s delivery of Sonnet 116 whilst walking in the pouring rain is a high point of the play, as it is wrought with so much sadness.

Meanwhile, Elinor steadfastly awaits a proposal only to have her hopes dashed (no pun intended) by news that Ferrars is already ‘engaged’. Fortunately this engagement is broken off and the humble and genuine Ferrars is able to claim the union that both deserve. Rosie Coles is consistently excellent throughout the play and her moment of disappointment is utterly devastating. And Riley delivers an equally spot on performance as she lurches from happiness to despair and ultimately to love with Colonel Brandon. John-Robert Partridge offers us a kindly, reserved, honest portrayal and the use of Sonnet 29 in his wooing of an ailing Marianne was truly heartfelt.

There is excellent support from Dawn Bush as the all seeing, all gossiping Mrs Jennings, Andrew Woolley as the ever dependable Sir John and Emily Tietz as both Margaret and later Lucy Steele. Special mention though to Matilda Bott for her second role as Charlotte Palmer which allows her to show off all sides of her comic talent. 

Congratulations to the entire company for providing such a beautiful piece of theatre.

The play runs until Sunday July 9th. Tickets via https://www.theattictheatre.co.uk.