Anne-Marie Casey’s new stage adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s classic (1868/9) novel.
Most people know something of Little Women, a critical and commercial success since its publication, whether it’s the novel or film and stage versions.
If, like me, you’d avidly read the original as a child – but that’s a long time ago – this production was like visiting old friends. If the story is brand new to you, the performance is bound to be just as engaging.
Based on Alcott’s own experiences growing up in the US Civil War era, Little Women is the story of four sisters: beautiful Meg, gentle Beth, wayward Amy, aspiring-authoress, and Jo – who, whilst well-loved, is just that bit of an outsider. Their mother, ‘Marmee’ is holding things together, with interventions from the formidable Aunt March, whilst Mr March is away, serving as an army chaplain. When Laurie, a new neighbour, moves in, accompanied by his personal tutor, a new phase of the sisters’ lives begins.
The production is easy to watch – sympathetic, uplifting, humorous, sad – in equal measure and as authentic in terms of family dynamics and the tribulations of adolescence now, as it was way back then. It remains a subtle celebration of women as heroes of their own stories and makers of their own destinies, a reminder that whatever the challenges, nobody has to fit a certain mould.
The music and costumes are understated and perfectly integrated, the set likewise.
A very strong cast features Belinda Lang (Aunt March), Honeysuckle Weeks (Marmee), Jack Ashton (John Brooke & Prof Bhaer) Grace Molony (Jo), Cillian Lenaghan (Laurie), Jade Kennedy (Meg), Catherine Chalk (Beth) and Imogen Elliott (Amy). Directed by Loveday Ingram.
Highly recommended.
Festival Theatre, Edinburgh Wed 2 to Sat 5 Apr 2025
Evenings 7.30pm | Matinees 2.30pm
Age 10+
Running Time 2 hours 30 minutes (including interval)