Lyceum, Sheffield – until October 11th 2025
Reviewed by Sharon Farley
5*****
“Breathes life into 19th Century English high society with 21st Century comic timing.”
This adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma, by Ryan Craig (What we did to Weinstein, Waterloo Road, First of Millions), is delightfully witty and very well played by the entire cast. Even in moving the set pieces around, the Ensemble (Lukwesa Mwamba, Jordan Kilshaw, Jordan Stamatiadis, Hugh Osborne, Charlie Norton) manage to portray the very essence of poise and precision that this comedy of manners exemplifies. Indeed, it is the same quality Emma (India Shaw-Smith) herself seeks to pass on to her protégé, Harriet Smith (Maiya Louise Thapar). Every aspect of this performance breathes life into 19th Century English high society with 21st Century comic timing. From the delicate yet powerful backdrop to the Regency costume, the detailing has been beautifully thought out by designer Ceci Calf (Farm Hall, The Comedy of Errors, Stiletto).
Many will be familiar with the story of Emma and its characters; notable performances came from Ed Sayer (Cybeline, Midwinter Break, The Crown), playing George Knightly, providing competition to Emma’s interference in the lives of others, and William Chubb (Othello, Sandman, Empire of Light), who performs as the irascible but deeply caring Mr Woodhouse. Sayer’s interpretation is perfectly stern with the emotional intelligence required to counter Emma’s meddling ways, while Chubb immediately wins over the audience with seemingly effortless comedic talent. Maiya Louise Tharpar and Jade Kennedy (Little Women, Winter Palace, Billy Elliot), as Jane Fairfax, provide highly convincing counterbalances to the character of Emma with their respective awkwardness and quiet grace. Shaw-Smith shines in the lead role as the supremely confident but meddlesome Emma and had the house roaring with her excellent comic timing, yet also blended in Emma’s more vulnerable moments seamlessly.
Overall, this performance is evidently well-crafted and a credit to the direction of multi-award winning Stephen Unwin (The Winslow Boy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hay Fever). Aside from the many layers of talent, experience and professionalism being combined here, this production of Emma is in no way a dry, dusting off of an old story, instead it injects a light, modern and uplifting spark into what is essentially a very enjoyable tale. On tour until November.