This witty, creative, and hugely entertaining modern-day take on Jane Austen’s classic novel is a complete delight from start to finish.
10 April 2022
The vast cathedral-like auditorium of the Alexandra Palace Theatre, preserved in a notable state of half-restoration that puts one in mind of a medieval Mediterranean basilica, is a tough place to make drama work.
Sound gets lost in the huge echoing vault above the stalls. The circle is set so far back from the stage that engagement with the narration can be difficult. It takes big sound, bold imagery, and brassy performances to retain audience involvement with any performance in this kind of setting. Thankfully, Jeff James and James Yeatman’s endlessly enjoyable and immensely funny modern take on ‘Persuasion’ has all this, and more, without ever losing respect for the intimacy of Jane Austen’s most personal of novels.
Sasha Frost, one of several actors of colour in this determinedly colour-blind production, plays the protagonist, Anne Elliot, as a sassy but smart type who knows her own mind as thoroughly as she knows her duty. Although a modern take on a much-loved literary heroine, Frost’s performance, like the play as a whole, never comes across as anachronistic.
The succession of formal balls in Austen’s novel now take place in clubs and raves. The heady courtships that play out there are interspersed with robot-dancing to funky techno, passionate snogging, and occasional cursing. Gentle bathing off Lyme Regis transmutes into a mad, flirtatious, Ibiza foam party. It might sound off, but it all works brilliantly and is gloriously and recognisably Austen.
Jeff James direction is full of wit and imagination. Characters in act one express annoyance by literally pushing each other off the stage, a pantomime-style running joke that lasts just long enough to be hilarious without overstaying its welcome. Other scenes see acapella serenades; a fantastic visual gag about Lady Gaga; a nifty putdown of TV’s Bridgerton; and even a political swipe at Downing Street’s lockdown parties. It is enormous fun without ever losing Persuasion’s harder edges or flirting with parody. In fact, the narration itself stays remarkably true to the novel and never loses contact with the world the author created.
Alex Lowde’s set, a long thin rectangle that rotates deep out into the front stalls, makes perfect use of the space by bringing the action closer to those distant circle seats. It rotates to different angles during the performance: an effect which put me in mind of the hands on a watch. The passing of time, or at least the ticking of the protagonist’s biological clock which drives her search for a husband, looms large in Persuasion.
The costume design is a shrewd hotchpotch of vinyl raincoats, velour, denim, shell-suits, and turtleneck sweaters. It is brimming with visual fun but educated enough to bring out Austen’s subtle class distinctions between the characters. This is quality stuff.
All in all, the whole production is huge fun and highly recommended. Book a circle seat to get the best view.
Duration: 2 hours 20 mins. One interval.
By Jane Austen
Adaptation Jeff James, with James Yeatman
Director Jeff James
Music Ben and Max Ringham
Design Alex Lowde
Cast
Sasha Frost Anne Elliot
Fred Fergus Captain Wentworth
Matilda Bailes Elizabeth/Louisa
Grace Cookey-Gam Lady Russell/Mrs Croft
Helen Cripps Mary
Adam Deary Edmund Hayter/Captain Benwick/Mr Elliot
Emilio Doorgasingh Sir Walter/Admiral Croft
Caroline Moroney Mrs Clay/Henrietta
Dorian Simpson Charles
Full Disclosure: Ticket from Central Tickets.
