Yvonne Around, Guildford – until Saturday 27th September 2025
Reviewed by Liberty Noke
4****
Jane Austen’s Emma has long delighted audiences and this adaptation by Ryan Craig is no different. It is the story we know and love with beautiful costumes, charming characters and that oh-so pleasing happy ending. The stage is simple, it gives nothing away as you take your seats. Wooden flooring and a simple tree at the back of the stage.
Emma is an interesting character. Ahead of her time with ideas of never marrying. She is energetic and sure of herself. In this regard she is quite a likeable character and the modern women in the audience can see themselves in her. India Shaw-Smith brings a charming elegance to the character. She walks about the stage with effortless poise. As the play goes on, and we see more of Emma’s meddling, almost bullying behaviour, I find she is still difficult to dislike. Her charming wit and subtle comedy perhaps keep us on side
Rose Quentin plays a spectacular Augusta Hawkins and William Chubb is delightful as Mr Woodhouse. However the show is stolen by Maiya Louise Thapar as Harriet. She perfectly portrays the lovesick teenager with her giggly, excitable manor and slightly clumsy stage presence. The audience sympathise with Harriet and hope that she finds the happy ending she deserves . This is an amazing professional debut from Thapar and I cannot wait to see what is next for her.
I love that this production of a story that was first told in 1815 still holds the power to make an audience laugh out loud. So many of the characters were so relatable to a modern audience. Mr Woodhouse seemed exasperated by his daughter’s constant plotting but he knew he would be foolish to try and stop her. Harriet, the young woman hopelessly in love and easily confused. Jane Fairfax (Jade Kennedy) unsure of whether to follow her heart or her head. Emma is as enjoyable today as it was when it was first written. Funny and heartwarming, this production is the perfect cosy night at the theatre and delivers exactly what a Jane Austen Fan would hope for.