Sense & Sensibility play – A Clever, Hilarious and Hugely Entertaining Austen Adaptation
★★★★★
There can be few better ways to spend an evening than watching an adaptation of Jane Austen’s Sense & Sensibility brought fizzingly to life by five actors who clearly relish every word, every character and every opportunity to make an audience laugh.
Thick as Thieves Theatre Company’s production, adapted and directed by Nicky Diss, is a wonderfully energetic and inventive take on Austen’s much-loved story. It is recognisably Sense & Sensibility, with all the romance, heartbreak, gossip, social expectations and misunderstandings that Austen fans would expect, but it is delivered with such pace, wit and imagination that even those who know the story well are likely to find themselves seeing it in a new light.
At the centre are sisters Elinor and Marianne Dashwood — played by Grace Kelly Miller and Laura Cooper-Jones respectively — whose contrasting personalities provide much of the emotional and comic heart of the story. Elinor is measured and restrained, while Marianne is passionate and impulsive, and both actors capture those differences beautifully.
What makes this production particularly impressive is that the five-strong cast take on a remarkable array of characters. Alongside Marianne, Laura Cooper-Jones also plays Anne Steele and Mrs Ferrars; Thomas Judd switches between Edward Ferrars, John Willoughby, John Dashwood and the wonderfully entertaining Mrs Jennings; Grace Kelly Miller moves between Elinor and Sir John Middleton; Laura Smithers tackles Fanny Dashwood, Mrs Palmer, Lucy Steele and Margaret Dashwood; while Kaysha Woollery plays Mrs Dashwood, Colonel Brandon, Mr Palmer and Robert Ferrars.
The speed and ease with which the actors switch between characters and costumes is a show in itself. There is something wonderfully theatrical about watching an actor transform almost before your eyes, and the rapid changes add another layer of comedy to the production. Rather than attempting to hide the fact that five actors are playing a whole society of characters, the production embraces it — and it works brilliantly.
The comedy is clever without becoming laboured, and the adaptation manages to retain the spirit of Austen while making the story feel fresh, accessible and extremely entertaining. There is a lovely sense that the actors are having just as much fun as the audience.
And the audience really is part of the fun.
There is audience participation throughout, including the handing out of hats to a few unsuspecting members of the audience, who are then enlisted into the world of the play. On this occasion, the production went one step further when the cast decided that they needed a doctor to attend to the ailing Marianne. After a little searching, they found one in the audience — my husband! He was presented with a hat, (with a wig attached which was even funnier as he is bald!) whisked onto the stage and given the important task of tending to Marianne.
It was completely unexpected and absolutely hilarious, and perfectly demonstrates what makes this production so enjoyable. There is a genuine spontaneity to it. You never quite know what might happen next, and the audience becomes part of the theatrical experience rather than simply watching from the sidelines.
Behind all the fun is a company with a clear understanding of what makes live theatre special. Thick as Thieves Theatre Company was founded by Nicky Diss and Thomas Judd in 2015, with a particular focus on small-cast adaptations of classic works and, importantly, making theatre accessible and enjoyable for everyone. That philosophy is evident throughout Sense & Sensibility. This is classic literature without any sense of stuffiness or reverence getting in the way of a good story.
The production is also a fitting showcase for Nicky Diss's experience in creating interactive, humorous adaptations. Her direction keeps the action moving at a terrific pace, while David Knight's composition and musical direction, Grace Kelly Miller's costumes and Dylan Lowe's lighting all contribute to the production's lively and imaginative style.
A bittersweet farewell to Arches Lane Theatre
There is, however, a bittersweet element to seeing this production at Arches Lane Theatre.
The Arches Lane Theatre is a wonderful local community theatre, tucked within the Battersea Power Station complex, and venues like this play an important role in bringing accessible, exciting theatre to local audiences. Sadly, Battersea Power Station has terminated the theatre's lease and the venue is facing eviction.
That feels like a real loss for the local community. In my view, it is particularly disappointing that a theatre which provides a home for productions such as this — bringing people together, supporting performers and creatives, and offering audiences the opportunity to experience live theatre close to home — is being forced to leave.
Watching Sense & Sensibility there therefore felt rather special. The theatre was full of laughter, audience interaction and the unmistakable energy of live performance. It is exactly the sort of experience that community theatre spaces exist to provide.
Hopefully, Arches Lane Theatre will find a new home and continue its work elsewhere. But for now, this production is a reminder of what the venue has contributed to the area.
Final verdict
Sense & Sensibility is funny, clever, fast-paced and thoroughly entertaining. The five actors demonstrate extraordinary versatility, the adaptation is inventive without losing Austen's essence, and the audience participation adds an extra element of unpredictability and fun.
Whether you are a devoted Austen fan or simply looking for a hugely enjoyable night at the theatre, this is a production well worth seeing.
And if you do go, be warned: you might not be able to sit safely in the audience without being given a hat!
Venue: Arches Lane, Nine Elms, London SW11 8AB.
The nearest tube station is Battersea Power Station and it can also be reached via boat (RB6 Uber Boat), which can be boarded along the South Bank (a lovely way to travel to the theatre!) archeslanetheatre.com/
The running time is advertised as 2 hrs 10mins with interval. For more information on the show visit the theatre website
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