Outdoor performance of Jane Austen classic

THE rain held off for this outdoor performance of the Jane Austen classic.

The saga of the Dashwood sisters was brought to life with a cast of just eight skilful actors whose voices projected well when competing against the lively rustling of the trees within the grounds of this 15th century house on a somewhat ‘fresh’ late summer’s evening.

Katherine Astbury put in an outstanding performance as Fanny Dashwood, keeping even the most unlikely of Austen fans entertained with her hysterics.

Anna Simmons was perfect as the wide-eyed eagerly expressive Marianne Dashwood and Gemma Marsh as Margaret Dashwood provided many belly laughs.

Adapter Laura Turner did a sterling job shortening the novel into two digestible chunks and left the audience wondering whether Marianne’s settling for her eventual love match was the right thing to do.

Chapterhouse created an atmospheric evening at Athelhampton House that was made even more memorable due to the delicious hot chocolate on offer in the interval.

From my vantage point it was a little hard to see some of the scenes set in Barton Cottage – where the Dashwood sisters are forced to move when they fall on hard times – although it was understandable that there was no capability for swapping sets on the stage.

Although it was hard to get a sense of how dangerously ill Marianne becomes and to be drawn into the darker parts of this tale, the actors did a fantastic job with the light-hearted moments Austen was so deft at creating.