Jane Austen novels have become a popular choice for reinvention, something that Isobel McArthur’s Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) recently pulled off remarkably well. In comparison, Zoe Cooper’s Northanger Abbey, currently at the Orange Tree Theatre ahead of a tour, seems to lose its way in more ways than one.
In a play that tries, perhaps too hard, to be meta theatrical, we’re introduced to Austen’s familiar characters; Catherine Morland, Isabella Thorpe and Henry Tilney. These three characters are re-enacting Catherine’s life story, so “act one, scene one, my birth” declares Catherine.
Of course, it’s actually Cath in this version, and Iz and Hen. So, off the three of them go, playing a multitude of roles. The story is certainly based on Jane Austen’s work but veers off in all kinds of different directions. “We’ve gone a little off track” says Cath after the interval, it builds on the playfulness of Austen’s original work.
But much of the source material, such as Catherine’s love of books, and gothic novels is skimmed over, and everything is played for laughs with misplaced and obvious innuendo driving much of the comedy, along with some deliberate overacting.
What is intended to be the thrust of this Northanger Abbey is Cath and Iz’s love for each other. A queer retelling of Austen is an appealing prospect, but so much more could have been made of this such as exploring the challenges a gay couple would have faced at the time.
The Abbey itself is well represented by Holly Khan’s haunting sound design, and the original compositions that accompany the ballroom scenes is particularly pleasant.
Directed by Tessa Walker, Rebecca Banatvala, AK Golding and Sam Newton zealously battle through the complex scenes with countless character changes, but the number of stumbled over lines is probably enough to tell us this is just too much for a cast of three.
This is Northanger Abbey, sort of. While retellings of this nature usually succeed in putting a different spin on a familiar story, this production makes everything feel unfamiliar, and not necessarily in a good way.
Northanger Abbey is at the Orange Tree Theatre until 24th February 2024
