Emma

Birmingham Rep until Saturday

**** “stylish and amusing company”

Jane Austen’s arguably most amusing novel makes for very good and stylish company, courtesy of Ryan Craig’s witty and clever adaption and Stephen Unwin’s pacey and busy direction.

The Theatre Royal Bath production lingers on the traditional entwined with a dash of modern mischief and charm, a winning combination in the hands of some superb actors.

India Shaw-Smith plays the matchmaking Emma with lofty ease, she owns the space dashing around full of meddling, plotting and plenty of tongue in cheek fun. Despite her primness and trouble making we enjoy her amusing companionship. The relationships between the key players build in a typical Austen type manner, dancing with elegance and tripping up loudly in equal measure.

William Chubb as Mr. Woodhouse paints a beautifully pained father figure for us, and Oscar Batterham is equally at ease as a rather unpleasant cleric. The class is shimmering throughout and although the constant mini scene changes become a wee bit tiresome all in all the production rolls along smoothly as pleasurably as a continental river in Summer.

Lukwesa Mwamba understudied as Harriet and crafted some lovely naive comedy moments.

The humour was genuine and slotted into the Austen narrative with welcome ease, it’s a worthy contribution to Jane Austen’s 250^th anniversary.

Lots to approve of.

David Robinson