Little Women

By Louisa May Alcott
Adapted by Anne-Marie Casey
Directed by Loveday Ingram

Review written by Louise Cannon – Bookmarks and Stages

Little Women, an all time classic has been brought magnificently to life.
Little Women is memorable and exceeded expectations!
I read all the books as a child from my mum’s old version of them. This play brought it all back and I highly recommend it. This production is noteworthy and worth being enthused about. I saw this at the Festival Theatre, Edinburgh. I left the theatre knowing I’d just witnessed something great on stage. Find out more details, including my review and the rest of the tour below… Thank you for touring!

Cast

Belinda Lang  as Aunt March         
Honeysuckle Weeks as Abigail “Marmee” March 
Jack Ashton as John Brooke/Professor Bhaer             
Grace Molony as Jo March 
Jade Kennedy as  Meg March                                        
Catherine Chalk as Beth March         
Imogen Elliott as Amy
Cillian Lenaghan as Theodore “Laurie” Lawrence  

Belinda Lang (2point4 Children, Sister Boniface Mysteries), Honeysuckle Weeks (Foyles War, Calendar Girls the Musical), Jack Ashton (Call the Midwife, The Archers) and Grace Molony (Country Girls, The Great). With Cillian Lenaghan (The Woman in the Wall); Jade Kennedy (Rebus: A Game Called Malice); Catherine Chalk (Hilma) and Imogen Elliott (Grantchester).

Review

Little Women opens with Christmas as the March family gathers. There’s much fun to be had amongst harder times as the American civil war rumbles on. Despite it all, there are snow ball fights and dances, showing how life goes on. There’s so much energy on the stage that oozes out into the audience, leaving you want to have fun in the snow too.

There’s a fair amount of wit to be had as these strong-minded little women try to find their place in the world, have aspirations and retain their individuality as they come of age. All of the March girls are played by a strong, talented young cast who exceeded expectations!

The play is clever and seamless in how it portrays the passing of time as the little women grow, aided by timely music interludes. 

Belinda Lang’s portrayal of Aunt March is rather special. She’s given her a posh New Orlean’s accent, which really works, showing another slant other than just beautiful clothes of her wealthy background. It truly is noteworthy and worthy to be enthused about in her lively performance. It feels like she’s brought all of Aunt March’s experiences from her past and present together, giving a great understanding of the woman and truly see a rounded, complex character. It may not be the biggest part, but what Belinda Lang has done is made it memorable for all the right reasons. Belinda Lang is incredibly talented.

Honeysuckle Weeks was perfect as Marmee, bringing wisdom and strength of character, as she brings up her 4 daughters whom all have their own personalities. She also shown the sadness of her husband being at war, which was beautifully done. The way she switches from what she wants her daughters to see to depicting her inner feelings that come pouring out in private is sublime!

Jack Ashton plays the love interests of Meg and Jo, which is fascinating to watch as John Brooke and Professor Bhaer are very different people, personality wise. He was, however convincing as both as separated the two very well, showing his broad skill.

Grace Moloney’s portrayal of Jo March is sublime with the determination and desires of being a tom boy and very definite ideas. She brings that sense of almost rebelliousness to the fore.

This is a very strong  and impressive cast that I’ll be waxing lyrical about for a long time to come. Everyone seems to have grasped who their characters are and played them perfectly on stage. It’s a fantastically memorable adaptation that I urge you all to go to. It truly doesn’t disappoint!

See where it’s touring to here. I highly recommend you get your ticket whilst you still can:

Dates for Little Women (Play) tour