
Emma Watson is 19 and new in town.
Set in the elegant world of early 19th-century England, the story follows Emma Watson, a young woman navigating society, marriage prospects, and her future. But Jane Austen never finished the original novel, so just as a recognisably Austen tale begins to unfold, something unexpected happens...
The plot goes off script, quite literally!
Who will write Emma's happy ending now?
Playful, clever, and full of surprises, The Watsons starts as a period drama and transforms into a bold, brilliant reimagining that spins Regency charm into a dazzling modern theatrical experience, exploring storytelling, free will, and who gets to write our endings.
Written by Laura Wade (Posh, Home I’m Darling) and adapted from the original Jane Austen novel, the play was originally produced at Chichester Festival Theatre. This new production is a collaboration between the Joseph Rowntree Theatre and Black Treacle Theatre, as one of the Joseph Rowntree Theatre’s fundraising productions,
Directed by Black Treacle director Jim Paterson, he says:
‘The Watsons is simply brilliant. My mind was fizzing from the moment I first read this funny, smart and dynamic play that offers us so much scope for creativity in staging it. Laura Wade is one of our best playwrights, and her adaptation of Jane Austen's unfinished novel both fulfils and plays with expectations of what 'a Jane Austen story' is, and what she means to us all. With the brilliant cast and creative team bringing this to life, I can't wait for us to share this with an audience this summer - and celebrate Jane's 250th birthday!’
THE CAST
Emma Watson | Livy Potter |
Elizabeth Watson | Jennifer Jones |
Margaret Watson | Florence Poskitt |
Robert Watson | Matt Pattison |
Mrs Robert | Abi Baxter |
Nanny | Maggie Smales |
Lady Osbourne | Victoria Delaney |
Lord Osbourne | Cameron O'Byrne |
Miss Osbourne | Effie Warboys |
Tom Musgrave | Nick Patrick Jones |
Mr Howard | Andy Roberts |
Mrs Edwards | Sally Mitcham |
Captain Bertie | Paul Miles |
Laura | Sanna Jeppsson |
This production is included in the 17-25 Membership plan.
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Mon 7 Jul
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