On Saturday 21st of September York Theatre Royal’s latest in-house production opened to audiences here in York.
It’s a brand new adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s beloved novel “Little Women”, a story which has been made even more famous by a 2019 Greta Gerwig motion picture that starred Saoirse Ronan and Timothee Chalamet.
This new stage adaptation was written by Anne-Marie Casey, directed by Juliet Forster, and features a brilliantly talented cast who have starred both on stage and screen.
We were offered the opportunity to attend their press night yesterday evening, and so can say with some authority that if you love great storytelling and family drama, you really ought to get a ticket booked for the show before it ends on the 12th of October.
If you’re still looking for another reason to go, here’s what Your Local Link’s Mim thought of last night’s performance.
“After watching the film countless times with my daughter Molly, getting to see this new adaptation presented on stage at Theatre Royal was an opportunity we couldn’t miss.
Walking in the theatre you feel such grandeur, with the velvet red curtains that opened up to a backdrop of a woodland theme. The props really take you through each scene seamlessly. Especially the scene where Amy falls through the ice! The way they produced it was fantastic, the sound effects even indicated Amy was crashing though into the freezing river.
Even though the story is set in the 19th Century American Civil War, it really hits home on current issues for women, especially on where we fit in in the world. Through the four main characters, the March sisters; Jo, Amy, Meg and Beth, the play really covers love, loss and the resilience that the sisters need to keep going.
Freya Parks, who plays the main character Jo, puts in a stand-out performance. You are drawn in to the headstrong, stubborn, passionate, and opinionated person Jo is, as she takes on a lead role in protecting her family whilst also trying to chase her challenging dreams as a writer. Freya brilliantly embodies the depth of how deeply loving Jo is.
There are countless genuinely heart moving and funny moments in this production. The actors wear their hearts on their sleeves. You really feel that the March sisters don’t belong in this era, where they have to chase their dreams as writers and artists, and fight against the obligation to cater for their husbands needs, as most women did in those days.
The play was well written and executed. I would definitely recommend anyone to watch this fantastic production.”
If you’re interested in learning more about the production, read our interview with Kate Hampson who plays Marmee, here.
To book tickets for the show before it closes head to www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk.
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