By Graham Hiley.
So, how do you take one of the great classic novels and turn it into a play?
Jane Austen’s Emma is a delight to read, full of subtle satire, nuance and intrigue. Conveying all those aspects on stage seems an impossible task.
But Ryan Craig’s adaptation perfectly captures the magic of this masterpiece, opting for interpretation over mere replication.
Purists might baulk at the modernisation of the language and the simplification of the plot but the essence of the book remains intact under the skilful direction of Stephen Unwin.
While the book is more understated with the humour seeping through the characterisation to provoke wry smiles, this version is laugh-out-loud funny.
For the uninitiated it is an easy and entertaining introduction to the Hampshire author’s work and yet still true enough to the original to satisfy the die-hards.
The costumes and staging are faithful to the Regency era along with the importance of dance but the dialogue is much more accessible to a modern audience.
And the piece is driven by a talented cast dominated by the remarkable India Shaw-Smith who plays the title role to perfection as a meddlesome matchmaker.
She looks every inch the part as she captures Emma’s haughty sense of entitlement and snobbery not just with the acid delivery of her lines but through glances and gestures.
These understated and almost unnoticed mannerisms reflect the original writing as they beautifully portray the many facets of one of Austen’s most beloved heroines.
She receives fantastic support from the rest of the talented cast with William Chubb adding more humour to the role than there was in the novel.
Similarly, Oscar Batterham makes the vicar Philip Elton less odious but much more a figure of fun alongside the earnest George Knightley (Ed Sayer).
For press night, Lukwesa Mwamba stepped admirably into the role of Harriet Smith to replace the indisposed Maiya Louise Thapar earning a well-deserved bow of her own.
Of course, it is impossible to shoehorn every element of this multi-layered masterpiece into just over two hours which means the denouement does feel a little rushed.
But it makes for a thoroughly entertaining production and a fitting addition to the celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth.
It was well done, well done indeed.
Emma runs at Chichester Festival Theatre until Saturday November 8. cft.org.uk/events/emma
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