REVIEW: "SENSE AND SENSIBILITY" BRINGS JANE AUSTEN'S TALE TO LIFE IN ELEGANT PRODUCTION @ STNJ

 

By Ruth Ross

Based on Jane Austen’s debut novel, Sense and Sensibility, Jessica Swale’s dramatic adaptation—now onstage at the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey—lays out many of the themes explored throughout her literary career: the need to marry off daughters to secure their future, the clash of social classes, the role of money in matrimony, and the conflict between the brain (sense) and the heart (sensibility).

Thus, when the effervescent gentlewoman Mrs. Jennings crows (left), “There’s matrimony in the air,” in the penultimate scene of the play, she signals to us that all will be well with the impoverished Dashwood sisters and their beaus, the intrigues of whom have riveted us for close to three hours!

I note the run time of this production because, although it is based on a tome with lots of characters and a convoluted plot, it requires a bit of sitz-fleisch on the part of the audience to stay engaged with it all. Indeed, the thick British accents, coached by Julie Foh, often delivered at break-neck speed by the actors made the dialogue at times difficult to follow.

That said, this production features superb acting and inventive staging—with multiple scenes often occurring at the same time. Directed by Nisi Sturgis, the plot features leisurely stretches where the two Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, debate whether one’s brain or heart should govern their behavior, followed by frenetic scenes where some actors don new costumes and assume other roles introducing complications that upend the plot line.

Veteran actor Billie Wyatt is warm and vulnerable as the romantic Marianne, in love with love, wearing her heart on her sleeve, only to have it broken. Mandi Masden is more buttoned up as the sensible Elinor, who analytically approaches her liaison with Edward Ferrars so that it almost gets away from her. Their discussion of literature, especially that of Alexander Pope is deliciously droll. As their little sister Margaret, Terra Chaney is appropriately annoying, but her inquisitiveness about the natural world is delightful. Lynnette R. Freeman is steady as their worried mother, conscious of the financial and social level they’ve been reduced to when their half brother inherits the home they’ve occupied for years, and they have to move to a wholly new area of England. The distaff side of the family is rounded out by Kayla Ryan Walsh —arrogant, imperious as their sister-in-law Fanny Dashwood, anxious to become the mistress of Norland Park, and warmly effusive as the aforementioned Mrs. Jennings (top image), who befriends the Dashwoods and introduces the girls to London’s winter Season. She ably manages to play both sides of the feminine coin very well!

As the three suitors, the male members echo the women’s attitudes toward romance. As Marianne’s older suitor, Colonel Brandon is too sensible for her; Sean Mahan is long-suffering as she rejects him and supportive of Margaret in her scientific pursuits. His handsome, vivacious rival, Willoughby, is played with verve by Christian Frost (Left); he wins our hearts as easily as he wins Marianne’s. But he’s more flash than substance, as the plot reveals. And Elinor’s beau, Edward Ferrars is played with adorable awkwardness by Patrick Andrew Jones. Patrick Toon does his usual yeoman’s job in multiple roles; he’s a joy to behold.

Brittany Vasta has designed a multilevel set with ramps at the rear and front of the stage where various scenes occur, often at the same time. Sliding panels also facilitate a change of venue. Sophie S. Schneider’s costumes reference Austen’s 1797 world, while Liam Bellman-Sharpe provides seaside sounds (ocean waves, birds) and romantic music when necessary. Anthony Galaska’s lighting design is atmospheric and evokes the passage of time.

Through their English classes, most theatergoers are more familiar with Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice than Sense and Sensibility. Many have seen the film version featuring Emma Thompson as Elinor and Kate Winslet as Marianne. Here in Madison, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey and playwright Jessica Swale bring the tale to life in an elegant, polished production. But it will require patience and a good ear to get the full experience.

Sense and Sensibility will be performed at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue, on the campus of Drew University, Madison, through September 22, 2024. For information and tickets, call the box office at 973.408.5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org online.