Rose Theatre has unveiled production images for the world premiere of Ava Pickett’s bold new adaptation of Emma, Jane Austen’s beloved romantic comedy.
Directed by Rose Theatre’s Artistic Director Christopher Haydon, this fresh take on the classic swaps drawing room duets for dance floor-fillers, bringing Emma into the 21st century with a vibrant, contemporary twist.
The production celebrates the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth and runs at the Rose Theatre in Kingston until 11 October, with Press Night set for Monday 22 September.
The cast is led by Amelia Kenworthy (The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power) as Emma Woodhouse and Kit Young (Shadow and Bone, ALIEN: Earth) as George Knightley.
They are joined by Nigel Lindsay (Kiss Me Kate, Four Lions) as Mr. Woodhouse and Lucy Benjamin (EastEnders, Detectorists) as Mrs. Bates.
The ensemble also features Josh Bilyard as Rob Martin, Jessica Brindle (Top Girls at the National Theatre) as Isabella Woodhouse, Bobby Lockwood (The Outpost, Wolfblood) as Elton, Sofia Oxenham (Poldark, Extraordinary) as Harriet Smith, and Adrian Richards (A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the RSC, Noises Off! in the West End) as John Knightley.
The creative team includes Lily Arnold (Set & Costume Design), Kloé Dean (Movement Direction), Philip Gladwell (Lighting Design), Kieran Lucas (Composer & Sound Design), Haruka Kuroda (Intimacy & Fight Direction), Juliet Horsley CDG (Casting), Claudette Williams (Voice & Dialect), and Melissa Mowry (Associate Director – Drama League Rose Directing Fellow).
This new staging of Emma promises a joyous ride of matchmaking and mischief.
“Emma Woodhouse thinks she has it all figured out,” reads the synopsis. “Fresh from Oxford University and back in her hometown for the summer, Emma is ready to do what she does best: sort out everyone else’s lives, whether they like it or not.”
“Her closest friend Harriet is a total dating disaster, her father keeps disappearing on mysterious errands, and George Knightley refuses to stop pointing out the flaws in her flawless plans. But Emma knows best… right?”
Emma is presented with support from Eleanor Lloyd Productions and Eilene Davidson Productions.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
