LIKE most English literature fanatics, I have always been a fan of Jane Austen, and particularly enjoy the concept of outdoor productions, despite the untrustworthy British weather.
When I heard that Chapterhouse Theatre Company were putting on a production of Sense and Sensibility in Erddig Hall, I was eager to see it come rain or shine.
The audience is warmly invited to join Elinor and Marianne Dashwood in making their first forays into the exciting world of Regency society.
The classic, adapted by Laura Turner, is an exquisite and lively tale that follows the sisters as they fall in love, make mistakes and experience heartbreak for the first time in their quest to find a balance between sense and sensibility.
It was the first time I'd seen the play myself, being a greater fan of her works 'Emma' and the much-loved 'Pride and Prejudice' - but I was certainly not disappointed.
The cast was wonderful and highly adaptable with the majority playing multiple roles throughout. They each brought something unique to the characters, knowing all the while how to engage an audience of all ages.
Like most outdoor productions that frequently change venue, the setting was simple but effective enough, with subtle furniture movements hinting at a different location.
The stage lights remained turned on for the entire performance, making the stage presence more magical as the evening grew darker. The lighting change was so subtle it was unnoticeable until the performance had come to an end.
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I would say that I occasionally struggled to hear the actors who did not use microphones during the production. The actors often shouted their lines which made any kind of nuanced acting quite difficult.
Despite it being a summer evening, I had taken multiple layers to wrap up warm. Overall, it was an enjoyable performance and the beautiful surroundings of Erddig never fail to amaze me.
Thank you Chapterhouse Theatre Company for a wonderful introduction.
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